AB945: Bill Text

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB945,1 Section 1 . 15.405 (6) (am) of the statutes is created to read:

AB945,2,4 15.405 (6) (am) Two dental therapists who are licensed under ch. 447.

AB945,2 Section 2 . 36.61 (1) (ak) of the statutes is created to read:

AB945,3,2 36.61 (1) (ak) “Dental therapist” means an individual licensed under s. 447.04 (1m).

AB945,3 Section 3 . 36.61 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB945,3,5 36.61 (1) (b) “Health care provider" means a dental therapist, dental hygienist, physician assistant, nurse-midwife, or nurse practitioner.

AB945,4 Section 4 . 36.61 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB945,3,13 36.61 (3) (a) The board shall enter into a written agreement with the health care provider. In the agreement, the health care provider shall agree to practice at least 32 clinic hours per week for 3 years in one or more eligible practice areas in this state or in a rural area, except that a health care provider in the expanded loan assistance program under sub. (8) who is not a dental therapist or dental hygienist may only agree to practice at a public or private nonprofit entity in a health professional shortage area.

AB945,5 Section 5 . 36.61 (5) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB945,3,20 36.61 (5) (b) 1. The degree to which there is an extremely high need for medical care in the eligible practice area, health professional shortage area, or rural area in which an eligible applicant who is not a dental therapist or dental hygienist desires to practice and the degree to which there is an extremely high need for dental care in the dental health shortage area or rural area in which an eligible applicant who is a dental therapist or dental hygienist desires to practice.

AB945,6 Section 6 . 36.61 (8) (c) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB945,3,25 36.61 (8) (c) 3. Practice at a public or private nonprofit entity in a health professional shortage area, if the health care provider is not a dental therapist or dental hygienist, or in a dental health shortage area, if the health care provider is a dental therapist or dental hygienist.

AB945,7 Section 7. 146.81 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB945,4,2 146.81 (1) (c) A dentist or dental therapist licensed under ch. 447.

AB945,8 Section 8 . 146.89 (1) (r) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB945,4,8 146.89 (1) (r) 1. Licensed as a physician under ch. 448, a dentist, dental therapist, or dental hygienist under ch. 447, a registered nurse, practical nurse, or nurse-midwife under ch. 441, an optometrist under ch. 449, a physician assistant under ch. 448, a pharmacist under ch. 450, a chiropractor under ch. 446, a podiatrist under subch. IV of ch. 448, or a physical therapist under subch. III of ch. 448.

AB945,9 Section 9 . 146.89 (1) (r) 5. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB945,4,15 146.89 (1) (r) 5. An individual who holds a valid, unexpired license, certification, or registration issued by another state or territory that authorizes or qualifies the individual to perform acts that are substantially the same as those acts that an individual who is described in subds. 1. to 4., except a dentist , dental therapist, or dental hygienist, is licensed or certified to perform and who performs acts that are within the scope of that license, certification, or registration.

AB945,10 Section 10 . 146.89 (3) (b) 8. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB945,4,21 146.89 (3) (b) 8. Dental services, including tooth extractions and other procedures done under local anesthesia only and any necessary suturing related to the extractions, performed by a dentist or dental therapist who is a volunteer health provider; and dental hygiene services, performed by a dental hygienist who is a volunteer health provider.

AB945,11 Section 11 . 146.89 (3m) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB945,5,2 146.89 (3m) (intro.) A volunteer health care provider who is a dentist or dental therapist may provide dental services or a volunteer health care provider who is a dental hygienist may provide dental hygiene services, to persons who are recipients of Medical Assistance, if all of the following apply:

AB945,12 Section 12. 146.997 (1) (d) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB945,5,4 146.997 (1) (d) 3. A dentist or dental therapist licensed under ch. 447.

AB945,13 Section 13 . 155.01 (7) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB945,5,15 155.01 (7) “Health care provider" means a nurse licensed or permitted under ch. 441, a chiropractor licensed under ch. 446, a dentist or dental therapist licensed under ch. 447, a physician, physician assistant, perfusionist, podiatrist, physical therapist, physical therapist assistant, occupational therapist, or occupational therapy assistant licensed under ch. 448, a person practicing Christian Science treatment, an optometrist licensed under ch. 449, a psychologist licensed under ch. 455, a partnership thereof, a corporation or limited liability company thereof that provides health care services, a cooperative health care association organized under s. 185.981 that directly provides services through salaried employees in its own facility, or a home health agency, as defined in s. 50.49 (1) (a).

AB945,14 Section 14. 252.14 (1) (ar) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB945,5,17 252.14 (1) (ar) 3. A dentist or dental therapist licensed under ch. 447.

AB945,15 Section 15 . 257.01 (5) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB945,5,24 257.01 (5) (a) An individual who is licensed as a physician, a physician assistant, or a podiatrist under ch. 448, licensed as a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or nurse-midwife under ch. 441, licensed as a dentist or dental therapist under ch. 447, licensed as a pharmacist under ch. 450, licensed as a veterinarian or certified as a veterinary technician under ch. 89, or certified as a respiratory care practitioner under ch. 448.

AB945,16 Section 16 . 257.01 (5) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB945,6,8 257.01 (5) (b) An individual who was at any time within the previous 10 years, but is not currently, licensed as a physician, a physician assistant, or a podiatrist under ch. 448, licensed as a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse or nurse-midwife, under ch. 441, licensed as a dentist or dental therapist under ch. 447, licensed as a pharmacist under ch. 450, licensed as a veterinarian or certified as a veterinary technician under ch. 89, or certified as a respiratory care practitioner under ch. 448, if the individual's license or certification was never revoked, limited, suspended, or denied renewal.

AB945,17 Section 17. 440.03 (13) (b) 20m. of the statutes is created to read:

AB945,6,10 440.03 (13) (b) 20m. Dental therapist.

AB945,18 Section 18. 440.08 (2) (a) 25m. of the statutes is created to read:

AB945,6,12 440.08 (2) (a) 25m. Dental therapist: October 1 of each odd-numbered year.

AB945,19 Section 19. 447.01 (6g) of the statutes is created to read:

AB945,6,15 447.01 (6g) “Dental therapist” means an individual who practices dental therapy.

AB945,20 Section 20. 447.01 (6r) of the statutes is created to read:

AB945,6,18 447.01 (6r) “Dental therapy” means the limited practice of dentistry, consisting of the services, treatments, and procedures specified in s. 447.06 (3) (b).

AB945,21 Section 21. 447.02 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB945,6,21 447.02 (1) (b) Governing the standards and conditions for the use of radiation and ionizing equipment in the practice of dentistry or dental therapy.

AB945,22 Section 22. 447.02 (1) (g) of the statutes is created to read:

AB945,6,25 447.02 (1) (g) Specifying services, treatments, or procedures, in addition to those specified under s. 447.06 (3) (b) 1. to 26., that are included within the practice of dental therapy.

AB945,23 Section 23. 447.02 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB945,7,3 447.02 (2) (a) The conditions for supervision and the degree of supervision required under ss. 447.03 (3) (a), (am), (b) and (d) 2. and 447.065.

AB945,24 Section 24. 447.02 (3) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB945,7,8 447.02 (3) (a) (intro.) The examining board may issue a permit authorizing the practice in this state, without compensation, of dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene to an applicant who is licensed to practice dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene in another state, if all of the following apply:

AB945,25 Section 25. 447.02 (3) (a) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB945,7,13 447.02 (3) (a) 2. The examining board determines that the applicant is qualified and satisfies the criteria specified under s. 447.04 (1) (b) 1. to 3., except that the examining board may not require the applicant to pass an examination of state statutes and rules relating to dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene.

AB945,26 Section 26. 447.02 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB945,7,19 447.02 (3) (b) A permit under this subsection shall authorize the practice of dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene in a specified area of the state for a period of time not more than 10 days in a year and may be renewed by the examining board. The examining board may not require an applicant to pay a fee for the issuance or renewal of a permit under this subsection.

AB945,27 Section 27. 447.02 (5) of the statutes, as created by 2017 Wisconsin Act 116, is amended to read:

AB945,8,2 447.02 (5) Except as provided in ss. 447.058 and 447.063, nothing in this chapter may be construed as authorizing the examining board to regulate business or administrative support functions or services, that do not constitute the practice of dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene, provided to a business that provides dental or dental hygiene services.

AB945,28 Section 28. 447.03 (1m) of the statutes is created to read:

AB945,8,6 447.03 (1m) Dental therapists. Except as provided under sub. (3) and s. 447.02 (3), no person may do any of the following unless he or she is licensed to practice dental therapy under this chapter:

AB945,8,7 (a) Practice or offer to practice dental therapy.

AB945,8,10 (b) Represent himself or herself to the public as a dental therapist or use, in connection with his or her name, any title or description that may convey the impression that he or she is a dental therapist.

AB945,29 Section 29 . 447.03 (3) (am) of the statutes is created to read:

AB945,8,15 447.03 (3) (am) A dental therapy student who practices dental therapy under the supervision of a dentist in an infirmary, clinic, hospital or other institution connected or associated for training purposes with an accredited dental therapy school.

AB945,30 Section 30 . 447.03 (3) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB945,8,22 447.03 (3) (c) An individual licensed to practice dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene in another state or country who practices dentistry , dental therapy, or dental hygiene in a program of dental education or research at the invitation of a group of dentists or practices dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene under the jurisdiction of the army, navy, air force, U.S. public health service , or veterans bureau.

AB945,31 Section 31. 447.04 (1m) of the statutes is created to read:

AB945,8,25 447.04 (1m) Dental therapists. (a) The examining board shall grant a license to practice dental therapy to an individual who does all of the following:

AB945,9,2 1. Submits an application for the license to the department on a form provided by the department.

AB945,9,3 2. Pays the fee specified in s. 440.05 (1).

AB945,9,5 3. Submits evidence satisfactory to the examining board that he or she has done one of the following:

AB945,9,6 a. Graduated from an accredited dental therapy school.

AB945,9,12 b. Completed a dental therapy program administered by an accredited dental or dental hygiene school, if the school certifies to the examining board that the applicant's education substantially conformed to the education standards established by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. This subd. 3. b. applies only with respect to an applicant who submits an application for a dental therapy license before January 1, 2023.

AB945,9,19 4. Submits evidence satisfactory to the examining board that he or she has passed a national board dental therapy examination and a dental therapy clinical examination administered by a regional testing service approved by the examining board. If a national board examination or a regional testing service examination for dental therapy does not exist, the examining board shall accept evidence of passing an alternative examination administered by another entity or testing service that is approved by the examining board.

AB945,9,21 5. Passes an examination administered by the examining board on the statutes and rules relating to dental therapy.

AB945,9,24 5m. Submits evidence satisfactory to the examining board that he or she has current proficiency in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, including the use of an automated external defibrillator achieved through instruction provided by an individual, organization, or institution of higher education approved under s. 46.03 (38) to provide such instruction.

AB945,10,4 6. Completes any other requirements established by the examining board by rule.

AB945,10,8 (b) The examining board may grant a license to practice dental therapy to an individual who is licensed in good standing to practice dental therapy in another state or territory of the United States or in another country if the applicant complies with all of the following requirements:

AB945,10,10 1. Meets the requirements for licensure established by the examining board by rule.

AB945,10,17 2. Submits evidence satisfactory to the examining board that the person has current proficiency in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, including the use of an automated external defibrillator achieved through instruction provided by an individual, organization, or institution of higher education qualified to provide such instruction. The examining board shall consult with the department of health services to determine whether an individual, organization, or institution of higher education is qualified to provide instruction under this subdivision.

AB945,10,19 3. Presents the license to the examining board and pays the fee specified under s. 440.05 (2).

AB945,32 Section 32. 447.05 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB945,11,18 447.05 Expiration and renewal. Renewal applications shall be submitted to the department on a form provided by the department on or before the applicable renewal date specified under s. 440.08 (2) (a) and shall include the applicable renewal fee determined by the department under s. 440.03 (9) (a). The examining board may not renew a license to practice dentistry unless the applicant for renewal attests that he or she has complied with s. 447.056, that he or she has current proficiency in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, including and that he or she has current proficiency in the use of an automated external defibrillator achieved through instruction provided by an individual, organization, or institution of higher education approved under s. 46.03 (38) to provide such instruction. The examining board may not renew a license to practice dental therapy unless the applicant for renewal attests that he or she has complied with s. 447.057, that he or she has current proficiency in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and that he or she has current proficiency in the use of an automated external defibrillator achieved through instruction provided by an individual, organization, or institution of higher education approved under s. 46.03 (38) to provide such instruction. The examining board may not renew a license to practice dental hygiene unless the applicant for renewal attests that he or she has complied with s. 447.055 and any rules promulgated by the department under s. 447.055, that he or she has a current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and that he or she has current proficiency in the use of an automated external defibrillator achieved through instruction provided by an individual, organization, or institution of higher education approved under s. 46.03 (38) to provide such instruction.

AB945,33 Section 33 . 447.057 of the statutes is created to read:

AB945,12,3 447.057 Continuing education; dental therapists. (1) (a) Except as provided in subs. (3) and (4), a person is not eligible for renewal of a license to practice dental therapy, other than a permit issued under s. 447.02 (3), unless the person has taught, prepared, attended, or otherwise completed, during the 2-year period immediately preceding the renewal date specified under s. 440.08 (2) (a), 12 credit hours of continuing education relating to the clinical practice of dental therapy that is sponsored or recognized by a local, state, regional, national, or international dental, dental therapy, dental hygiene, dental assisting, or medical-related professional organization.

AB945,12,5 (b) Continuing education required under par. (a) may include training in all of the following:

AB945,12,7 1. Basic life support or cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Not more than 2 of the credit hours required under par. (a) may be satisfied by such training.

AB945,12,9 2. Infection control. Not less than 2 of the credit hours required under par. (a) must be satisfied by such training.

AB945,12,12 (d) After consultation with the examining board and with the department of health services, the department may promulgate rules requiring that continuing education credit hours under par. (a) include courses in specific clinical subjects.

AB945,12,14 (2) The credit hours required under sub. (1) (a) may be satisfied by independent study, correspondence, or Internet programs or courses.

AB945,12,17 (3) Subsection (1) (a) does not apply to an applicant for renewal of a license that expires on the first renewal date after the date on which the examining board initially granted the license.

AB945,12,21 (4) A person may substitute credit hours of college level courses related to the practice of dental therapy for the credit hours required under sub. (1) (a). For purposes of this subsection, one credit hour of a college level course is equivalent to 6 credit hours of continuing education.