Wisconsin Governor Signs Legislation to Address Dental Care Shortages

The new laws include the creation of a 'dental therapist' profession and funding for dental training programs.

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers signed a package of bipartisan legislation aimed at expanding access to dental care and addressing dental workforce shortages across the state.
The legislative package includes a bill that authorizes licenses for dental therapists, a new profession that can fill cavities and provide preventative care, but can't perform complex operations like root canals.
The legislation was signed in response to data showing shortages of dental care in 160 areas of Wisconsin.
Other bills in the package create guidelines for distributing $20 million in state aid for technical colleges' dental training programs, create scholarships for Marquette University dental students who agree to practice in underserved areas, and allow dental workers from out of state to practice in Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin Dental Association, which had previously opposed the creation of the dental therapist profession, withdrew its opposition after lawmakers agreed to include rules such as requiring dental therapists to graduate from accredited training programs and work under a dentist's supervision.