Chapter 447

447.055(5) (5) For purposes of sub. (1) (a), one hour of teaching or preparing a continuing education program is equivalent to one credit hour of continuing education, but a person who teaches or prepares a continuing education program may obtain credit for the program only once.

447.055(6) (6) The examining board may require applicants for renewal of a license to practice dental hygiene to submit proof of compliance with the requirements of this section.

447.055 History History: 2005 a. 318; 2007 a. 31; 2007 a. 20 s. 9121 (6) (a); 2009 a. 10; 2017 a. 331.

447.056 447.056 Continuing education; dentists.

447.056(1) (1) Except as provided in subs. (2) to (4), a person is not eligible for renewal of a license to practice dentistry, other than a permit issued under s. 447.02 (3), unless the person has taught, attended, or otherwise completed, during the 2-year period immediately preceding the renewal date specified under s. 440.08 (2) (a), 30 credit hours of continuing education related to the practice of dentistry or the practice of medicine, including not less than 25 credit hours of instruction in clinical dentistry or clinical medicine. Not more than 4 of the 30 hours may be from teaching. Continuing education does not satisfy the requirements under this subsection unless the continuing education is one of the following:

447.056(1)(a) (a) Sponsored or recognized by a local, state, regional, national, or international dental or medical professional organization.

447.056(1)(b) (b) A college-level course that is offered by a postsecondary institution accredited by the American Dental Association commission on dental accreditation or a successor agency, or by another recognized accrediting body.

447.056(2) (2) Subsection (1) 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.

447.056(3) (3) Credit hours completed before the 2-year period immediately preceding renewal of a license to practice dentistry may not be applied to fulfill the credit hours required under sub. (1).

447.056(4) (4) The examining board may waive the continuing education requirements under sub. (1) if it finds that exceptional circumstances such as prolonged illness, disability, or other similar circumstances have prevented a person licensed to practice dentistry from meeting the requirement.

447.056(5) (5) A person who is licensed to practice dentistry shall keep a written record detailing each continuing education credit completed in compliance with sub. (1) and shall maintain the written record for not less than 6 years after the person completes each credit. The examining board may require applicants for renewal of a license to practice dentistry to submit proof of compliance with the requirements of this section.

447.056 History History: 2007 a. 31; 2009 a. 10.

447.057 447.057 Continuing education; dental therapists.

447.057(1) (1) 

447.057(1)(a) (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.

447.057(1)(b) (b) Continuing education required under par. (a) may include training in all of the following:

447.057(1)(b)1. 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.

447.057(1)(b)2. 2. Infection control. Not less than 2 of the credit hours required under par. (a) must be satisfied by such training.

447.057(1)(c) (c) After consultation with the department of health services, the examining board may promulgate rules requiring that continuing education credit hours under par. (a) include courses in specific clinical subjects.

447.057(2) (2) The credit hours required under sub. (1) (a) may be satisfied by independent study, correspondence, or Internet programs or courses.

447.057(3) (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.

447.057(4) (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.

447.057(5) (5) For purposes of sub. (1) (a), one hour of teaching or preparing a continuing education program is equivalent to one credit hour of continuing education, but a person who teaches or prepares a continuing education program may obtain credit for the program only once.

447.057(6) (6) The examining board may require applicants for renewal of a license to practice dental therapy to submit proof of compliance with the requirements of this section.

447.057 History History: 2023 a. 87.

447.058 447.058 Mobile dentistry program registration.

447.058(1) (1) Registration required. No person may own or operate a mobile dentistry program in this state unless the person is registered under this section. A person that wishes to own or operate more than one mobile dentistry program in this state shall apply for a separate registration under this section for each mobile dentistry program the person owns or operates.

447.058(2) (2) Registration.

447.058(2)(a) (a) The examining board may grant a registration under this section to a person who does all of the following:

447.058(2)(a)1. 1. Submits an application for registration to the department on a form provided by the department. The application shall include the person’s name and tax identification number, the person’s business address and telephone number, and any other information the department or the examining board requires.

447.058(2)(a)2. 2. Pays the fee specified in s. 440.05 (1).

447.058(2)(a)3. 3. Satisfies any other requirements established by the examining board by rule.

447.058(2)(b) (b) A mobile dentistry program registrant shall submit an application for renewal, and the applicable renewal fee determined by the department under s. 440.03 (9) (a), to the department on a form provided by the department on or before the applicable renewal date specified under s. 440.08 (2) (a).

447.058 History History: 2013 a. 244.

447.058 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. DE 10, Wis. adm. code.

447.059 447.059 Administering certain vaccines.

447.059(1) (1) A dentist may administer without a prescription order a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus or influenza only if he or she satisfies all of the following:

447.059(1)(a) (a) The dentist successfully completes 8 hours in a course of study and training approved by the examining board in vaccination storage, protocols, administration technique, emergency procedures, and record keeping.

447.059(1)(b) (b) The dentist has in effect liability insurance that covers the dentist against loss, expense, and liability resulting from errors, omissions, or neglect in the administration of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and influenza in an amount that is not less than $1,000,000 for each occurrence and $2,000,000 for all occurrences in any one policy year.

447.059(1)(c) (c) The dentist maintains proof of completing a course of study and training specified in par. (a) and satisfying the requirement specified in par. (b).

447.059(2) (2) A dentist may not administer a vaccine under sub. (1) to a child who is under the age of 6 unless all of the following apply:

447.059(2)(a) (a) The vaccine is administered pursuant to a prescription order issued within the 29 days immediately preceding the day on which the vaccine is administered.

447.059(2)(b) (b) The dentist successfully completes a course of instruction approved by the examining board that includes the administration of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and influenza to children under the age of 6.

447.059(2)(c) (c) The dentist maintains proof of completing a course of instruction specified in par. (b).

447.059(3) (3) Upon request, a dentist shall provide copies of proof required under subs. (1) (c) and (2) (c) to the department or the examining board.

447.059(4) (4) A dentist who administers a vaccine under sub. (1) shall update the Wisconsin Immunization Registry established by the department of health services within 7 days of administering the vaccine.

447.059 History History: 2021 a. 8.

447.06 447.06 Practice limitations.

447.06(1) (1) No contract of employment entered into between a dentist or dental therapist and any other party under which the dentist or dental therapist renders dental services may require the dentist or dental therapist to act in a manner that violates the professional standards for dentistry or dental therapy set forth in this subchapter. Nothing in this subsection limits the ability of the other party to control the operation of the dental practice in a manner in accordance with the professional standards for dentistry or dental therapy set forth in this subchapter.

447.06 Note NOTE: Sub. (1) is shown as amended by 2023 Wis. Acts 87 and 88 and as merged by the legislative reference bureau under s. 13.92 (2) (i).

447.06(1g) (1g) No contract of employment entered into between a dentist and any other party under which the dentist is employed to practice dentistry may require a dentist to meet a minimum quota for the number of patients seen or the number of procedures performed.

447.06(1m) (1m) No contract of employment entered into between a dental therapist and any other party under which the dental therapist is employed to practice dental therapy may require a dental therapist to meet a minimum quota for the number of patients seen or the number of procedures performed.

447.06(1r) (1r) No contract of employment entered into between a dental hygienist and any other party under which the dental hygienist is employed to practice dental hygiene may require a dental hygienist to meet a minimum quota for the number of patients seen or the number of procedures performed.

447.06(2) (2) 

447.06(2)(a) (a) A hygienist may practice dental hygiene or perform remediable procedures only as an employee or as an independent contractor and only as follows:

447.06(2)(a)1. 1. In a dental office.

447.06(2)(a)2. 2. For a school board, a governing body of a private school, as defined in s. 115.001 (3d), or a governing body of a tribal school, as defined in s. 115.001 (15m).

447.06(2)(a)3. 3. For a school for the education of dentists, dental therapists, or dental hygienists.

447.06(2)(a)4. 4. For a state or federal prison, county jail or other federal, state, county or municipal correctional or detention facility, or a facility established to provide care for terminally ill patients.

447.06(2)(a)5. 5. For a local health department, as defined in s. 250.01 (4).

447.06(2)(a)6. 6. For a charitable institution open to the general public or to members of a religious sect or order.

447.06(2)(a)7. 7. For a nonprofit home health care agency.

447.06(2)(a)8. 8. For a nonprofit dental care program serving primarily indigent, economically disadvantaged or migrant worker populations.

447.06(2)(a)9. 9. At a facility, as defined in s. 50.01 (1m), an adult family home certified under s. 50.032 or licensed under s. 50.033, an adult day care center, as defined in s. 49.45 (47) (a), a community rehabilitation program, a hospital, as defined in s. 50.33 (2), or a facility that is primarily operated to provide outpatient medical services.

447.06(2)(b) (b) A dental hygienist may practice dental hygiene or perform remediable procedures under par. (a) 1. only as authorized by a dentist or dental therapist [or dental therapy] who is present in the facility in which those practices or procedures are performed, except as provided in par. (c).

447.06 Note NOTE: Par. (b) is shown as amended by 2023 Wis. Acts 87 and 88 and as merged by the legislative reference bureau under s. 13.92 (2) (i). The language in brackets was inserted by 2023 Wis. Act 87 but rendered without effect by the treatment by 2023 Wis. Act 88. Corrective legislation is pending.

447.06(2)(c) (c) A dental hygienist may practice dental hygiene or perform remediable procedures under par. (a) 1. if a dentist or dental therapist [or dental therapy] is not present in the facility in which those practices or procedures are performed only if all of the following conditions are met:

447.06 Note NOTE: Par. (c) (intro.) is shown as amended by 2023 Wis. Acts 87 and 88 and as merged by the legislative reference bureau under s. 13.92 (2) (i). The language in brackets was inserted by 2023 Wis. Act 87 but rendered without effect by the treatment by 2023 Wis. Act 88. Corrective legislation is pending.

447.06(2)(c)1. 1. The dental hygiene practices or remediable procedures are performed under a written or oral prescription.

447.06(2)(c)2. 2. The dentist or dental therapist who made the written or oral prescription has examined the patient at least once during the 12-month period immediately preceding:

447.06(2)(c)2.a. a. The date on which the written or oral prescription was made; and

447.06(2)(c)2.b. b. The date on which the dental hygiene practices or remediable procedures are performed.

447.06(2)(c)3. 3. The written or oral prescription specifies the practices and procedures that the dental hygienist may perform with the informed consent of the patient or, if applicable, the patient’s parent or legal guardian.

447.06(2)(d) (d) A dental hygienist may not diagnose a dental disease or ailment, determine any treatment or any regimen of any treatment outside of the scope of dental hygiene, prescribe or order medication or perform any procedure that involves the intentional cutting of soft or hard tissue of the mouth by any means.

447.06(2)(e) (e) Pursuant to a treatment plan approved by a dentist, a dental hygienist may administer the following upon delegation by the dentist if the dentist remains on the premises in which the practices are performed and is available to the patient throughout the completion of the appointment:

447.06(2)(e)1. 1. Oral systemic premedications specified by the examining board by rule.

447.06(2)(e)2. 2. If the dental hygienist is certified under s. 447.04 (2) (c) 1., local anesthesia.

447.06(2)(e)3. 3. Subgingival sustained release chemotherapeutic agents specified by the examining board by rule.

447.06(2)(e)4. 4. If the dental hygienist is certified under s. 447.04 (2) (d) 1., nitrous oxide inhalation analgesia.

447.06(3) (3) 

447.06(3)(a) (a) In this subsection:

447.06(3)(a)1. 1. “Collaborative management agreement” means an agreement under par. (d).

447.06(3)(a)2. 2. “Dental health shortage area” has the meaning given in s. 36.60 (1) (ad).

447.06(3)(a)3. 3. “Direct supervision” means that the dentist is present in the dental office or other practice setting, personally diagnoses the condition to be treated, personally authorizes each procedure, and before dismissal of the patient, evaluates the performance of the allied dental personnel.

447.06(3)(a)4. 4. “General supervision” means that the dentist is not present in the dental office or other practice setting or on the premises at the time tasks or procedures are being performed by the dental therapist, but that the tasks or procedures performed by the dental therapist are being performed with the prior knowledge and consent of the dentist.

447.06(3)(a)5. 5. “Indirect supervision” means that the dentist is present in the dental office or other practice setting, authorizes each procedure, and remains in the office while the procedures are being performed by the allied dental personnel.

447.06(3)(a)6. 6. “Medical Assistance patient” means a patient who is a recipient of services under the Medical Assistance program under subch. IV of ch. 49.

447.06(3)(a)7. 7. “Qualifying dentist” means a dentist who is licensed in this state, who is actively practicing in this state, and who satisfies the requirement under par. (dr).

447.06(3)(a)8. 8. “Uninsured patient” means a patient who lacks dental health coverage, either through a public health care program or private insurance, and has an annual gross family income equal to or less than 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.