Dental therapists could be officially approved to practice in Wisconsin in 2025, according to a Nov. 29 report by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Gov. Tony Evers signed a bill earlier this year authorizing dental therapists, but the profession still has not been formally approved by the Wisconsin Dentistry Examining Board, which will regulate dental therapy in the state.
Dental therapists work under the supervision of a dentist and provide routine and preventive dental services, including cleanings, fillings and crowns.
Patrick Tepe, DDS, a dentist and chair of the state dental association's Legislative Advocacy Committee, expects dental therapists to receive approval to practice in Wisconsin at some point in 2025.
Northcentral Technical College in Wausau, Wis., is working to create the first dental therapy training program in the state but will still need accreditation, which will take 12 to 18 months. After receiving accreditation, the program is expected to take students about 30 months of education and training to complete.
Dental therapists can help alleviate dentist shortages, especially in rural areas, the report said.