N.E.W. Community Clinic, a dental practice in Green Bay, Wis., is adding dental therapists to its staff to help alleviate its scheduling challenges, according to a March 18 report by NBC26.
There is a shortage of dental staff across the country, and Northeast Wisconsin is no exception, the report said.The clinic currently has a scheduling backlog of three months, and expanding with dental therapists can help lessen the burden on dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signed a bill earlier in 2024 that authorized dental therapists to work in the state. The bill permits dental therapists to perform some tasks such as conducting oral exams and pulling teeth, but they are not allowed to do more complex procedures.