State Legislature Recently Passes Bills Related to Oral Health Care Industry

Tuesday, January 23rd, 2024 -- 9:00 AM

(Hope Kirwan, Wisconsin Public Radio) Access to dental care is a problem for many Wisconsin residents.

According to Hope Kirwan with Wisconsin Public Radio, more than half of all counties in the state are facing a shortage of dental care professionals. A 2018 survey of dentists by the state Department of Health Services found much of the state’s current dentist workforce planned to retire or leave their practice within the next 5 years.

But the possibility of a new type of dental provider is giving health care advocates hope that more people will soon be able to access care in Wisconsin. The state Legislature recently passed several bills related to the oral health care industry, including legislation to allow the licensure of dental therapists.

Similar to physician assistants, dental therapists work under the supervision of a dentist to provide mid-level care like filling cavities or placing temporary crowns.

“They can help do those lower intensive procedures that dentists do now, allowing dentists the freedom to take on some of those bigger services and needs for patients,” said Sashi Gregory, director of policy and research for the Wisconsin Primary Health Care Association.

The association, which represents community health centers across the state, is one of many health organizations that have supported dental therapy for years. Thirteen states, including Michigan and Minnesota, already license dental therapists.

But the idea has taken longer to gain traction in Wisconsin and previously faced opposition from some industry groups.

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