Chapter 447

447.02(3)(a) (a) The examining board may issue a permit authorizing the practice in this state, without compensation, of dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene to an applicant who is licensed to practice dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene in another state, if all of the following apply:

447.02(3)(a)1. 1. The examining board determines that the applicant’s services will improve the welfare of Wisconsin residents.

447.02(3)(a)2. 2. The examining board determines that the applicant is qualified and satisfies the criteria specified under s. 447.04 (1) (b) 1. to 3., except that the examining board may not require the applicant to pass an examination of state statutes and rules relating to dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene.

447.02(3)(a)3. 3. If the applicant is applying for a permit to practice dental therapy, the applicant graduated from a dental therapy education program approved under s. 447.04 (1m) (c) 1. to 3.

447.02(3)(b) (b) A permit under this subsection shall authorize the practice of dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene in a specified area of the state for a period of time not more than 10 days in a year and may be renewed by the examining board. The examining board may not require an applicant to pay a fee for the issuance or renewal of a permit under this subsection.

447.02(4) (4) In the course of investigating a violation of this subchapter, the examining board may require, by order or subpoena, that a person who manages or controls a business that offers dental or dental hygiene services, including management or control of a business through which the person allows another person to offer dental or dental hygiene services, produce patient health care records, as defined in s. 146.81 (4).

447.02(5) (5) Except as provided in ss. 447.058 and 447.063, nothing in this subchapter may be construed as authorizing the examining board to regulate business or administrative support functions or services, that do not constitute the practice of dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene, provided to a business that provides dental or dental hygiene services.

447.02 Note NOTE: Sub. (5) 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).

447.02(6) (6) The examining board shall send a notice to the legislative reference bureau for publication in the Wisconsin Administrative Register when the board determines that 50 or more individuals are currently licensed as dental therapists in this state under s. 447.04 (1m). This subsection does not apply on or after January 1, 2030.

447.02 History History: 1989 a. 349; 1997 a. 96; 2007 a. 31; 2009 a. 10; 2013 a. 244, 345, 354; 2015 a. 195 s. 82; 2017 a. 116; 2023 a. 87, 88; s. 13.92 (2) (i).

447.02 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also DE and chs. DE 7, 10, and 11, Wis. adm. code.

447.03 447.03 License required.

447.03(1) (1) Dentists. Except as provided under sub. (3) and ss. 257.03 and 447.02 (3), no person may do any of the following unless he or she is licensed to practice dentistry under this subchapter or holds a compact privilege to practice dentistry:

447.03(1)(a) (a) Practice or offer to practice dentistry.

447.03(1)(b) (b) Use or permit to be used, directly or indirectly, for a profit or otherwise for himself or herself, or for any other person, the title, or append to his or her name the words or letters, “doctor”, “Dr.”, “Doctor of Dental Surgery”, “D.D.S.”, or “D.M.D.”, or any other letters, titles, degrees, terms or descriptive matter, personal or not, which directly or indirectly represent him or her to be engaged in the practice of dentistry.

447.03(1)(c) (c) Inform the public directly or indirectly in any language, orally, in writing or printing, or by drawings, demonstrations, signs, pictures or other means that he or she can perform or will attempt to perform dental services of any kind.

447.03(1m) (1m) Dental therapists. Except as provided under sub. (3) and s. 447.02 (3), no person may do any of the following unless he or she is licensed to practice dental therapy under this chapter:

447.03(1m)(a) (a) Practice or offer to practice dental therapy.

447.03(1m)(b) (b) Represent himself or herself to the public as a dental therapist or use, in connection with his or her name, any title or description that may convey the impression that he or she is a dental therapist.

447.03(2) (2) Dental hygienists. Except as provided under sub. (3) and s. 447.02 (3), no person may do any of the following unless he or she is licensed to practice dental hygiene under this subchapter or holds a compact privilege to practice dental hygiene:

447.03(2)(a) (a) Practice or offer to practice dental hygiene.

447.03(2)(b) (b) Represent himself or herself to the public as a dental hygienist or use, in connection with his or her name, any title or description that may convey the impression that he or she is a dental hygienist.

447.03(3) (3) Exceptions. No license or certificate under this subchapter is required for any of the following:

447.03(3)(a) (a) A dental student who practices dentistry under the supervision of a dentist in an infirmary, clinic, hospital or other institution connected or associated for training purposes with an accredited dental school.

447.03(3)(am) (am) A dental therapy student who practices dental therapy under the supervision of a dentist in an infirmary, clinic, hospital, or other institution connected or associated for training purposes with a dental therapy school accredited by the American Dental Association commission on dental accreditation or its successor agency.

447.03(3)(b) (b) A dental hygiene student who practices dental hygiene under the supervision of a dentist in an infirmary, clinic, hospital or other institution connected or associated for training purposes with an accredited dental hygiene school.

447.03(3)(c) (c) An individual licensed to practice dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene in another state or country who practices dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene in a program of dental education or research at the invitation of a group of dentists or practices dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene under the jurisdiction of the army, navy, air force, U.S. public health service, or veterans bureau.

447.03(3)(d) (d) Any of the following individuals who do not engage in the private practice of dentistry and do not have an office outside the institution at which he or she is appointed or employed:

447.03(3)(d)1. 1. A nonclinical instructor in dental science who is employed by an accredited dental school.

447.03(3)(d)2. 2. A dental fellow engaged in dental science teaching or research who is appointed by and is under the supervision of the faculty of an accredited dental school.

447.03(3)(d)3. 3. A dental intern who is appointed by a hospital located in this state, if the hospital is accredited for dental internship training and the internship does not exceed one year.

447.03(3)(d)4. 4. A dental resident who is appointed by a hospital located in this state for a 2nd or subsequent year of advanced study of dental science if the hospital is accredited for dental residency training.

447.03(3)(e) (e) Any examiner representing a testing service approved by the examining board.

447.03(3)(f) (f) A dental laboratory or dental laboratory technician to construct appliances or restorations for dentists if all of the following apply:

447.03(3)(f)1. 1. The appliances or restorations are constructed upon receipt from a dentist of impressions or measurements, directions, and a written work authorization on a form approved by the examining board.

447.03(3)(f)2. 2. The amounts payable for the services are billed to the dentist.

447.03(3)(g) (g) Any individual who provides remediable procedures that are delegated under s. 447.065 (1).

447.03(3)(h) (h) A physician licensed under subch. II of ch. 448 acting within the scope of his or her license.

447.03 History History: 1989 a. 349 ss. 15, 18; 1997 a. 96; 2005 a. 96; 2009 a. 10, 42; 2011 a. 258; 2013 a. 341; 2023 a. 87, 88.

447.03 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also chs. DE 2, 3, 9, 11, and 12, Wis. adm. code.

447.035 447.035 Certification; expanded function dental auxiliaries.

447.035(1) (1) In this section, “auxiliary” means an expanded function dental auxiliary.

447.035(2) (2) Notwithstanding s. 447.03 (1) and (2), a certification to practice as an auxiliary granted under s. 447.04 (3) shall permit the holder to perform all of the following as delegated and supervised by a dentist:

447.035(2)(a) (a) Placement and finishing of restoration material after the dentist prepares a tooth for restoration.

447.035(2)(b) (b) Application of sealants.

447.035(2)(c) (c) Coronal polishing.

447.035(2)(d) (d) Impressions.

447.035(2)(e) (e) Temporizations.

447.035(2)(f) (f) Packing cord.

447.035(2)(g) (g) Removal of cement from crowns.

447.035(2)(h) (h) Adjustment of dentures and other removable oral appliances.

447.035(2)(i) (i) Removal of sutures and dressings.

447.035(2)(k) (k) Application of topical fluoride, fluoride varnish, or similar dental topical agent.

447.035(3) (3) 

447.035(3)(a) (a) The examining board shall, subject to pars. (b) and (c), promulgate rules for the certification and practice of auxiliaries.

447.035(3)(b) (b) The rules promulgated under par. (a) shall do all of the following:

447.035(3)(b)1. 1. Require an applicant to the accredited instructional program described in subd. 2. to demonstrate in his or her application that the individual satisfies one of the following criteria in order to be permitted to enroll in the instructional program:

447.035(3)(b)1.a. a. Has completed at least 1,000 hours practicing as a dental assistant and holds the certified dental assistant credential issued by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc., or its successor.

447.035(3)(b)1.b. b. Has completed at least 2,000 hours practicing as a dental assistant, as verified by the supervising licensed dentist.

447.035(3)(b)2. 2. Require an applicant for certification under s. 447.04 (3) to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the examining board that the applicant has successfully completed an accredited instructional program that provides training in practice as an auxiliary and requires no fewer than 70 hours of classroom instruction.

447.035(3)(b)3. 3. Require a dentist who delegates a procedure to an auxiliary certified under s. 447.04 (3) to remain on the premises where the auxiliary is performing the procedure until the procedure is complete and the dentist has verified that the procedure has been performed successfully.

447.035(3)(b)4. 4. Require each auxiliary to maintain current proficiency in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, including the use of an automated external defibrillator achieved through instruction provided by an individual, organization, or institution of higher education approved under s. 46.03 (38) to provide such instruction.

447.035(3)(c) (c) The rules promulgated under par. (a) may not permit an auxiliary to perform any of the following:

447.035(3)(c)1. 1. Cutting of hard or soft tissue.

447.035(3)(c)2. 2. Diagnosis.

447.035(3)(c)3. 3. Treatment planning.

447.035 History History: 2021 a. 254.

447.035 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. DE 16, Wis. adm. code.

447.04 447.04 Licensure; certification.

447.04(1) (1) Dentists.

447.04(1)(a) (a) The examining board shall grant a license to practice dentistry to an individual who does all of the following:

447.04(1)(a)1. 1. Submits an application for the license to the department on a form provided by the department.

447.04(1)(a)2. 2. Pays the fee specified in s. 440.05 (1).

447.04(1)(a)3. 3. Submits evidence satisfactory to the examining board that he or she has graduated from an accredited dental school.

447.04(1)(a)4. 4. Submits evidence satisfactory to the examining board that he or she has passed the national dental examination and the examination of a dental testing service approved by the examining board.

447.04(1)(a)5. 5. Passes an examination administered by the examining board on the statutes and rules relating to dentistry.

447.04(1)(a)5m. 5m. Submits evidence satisfactory to the examining board that he or she has current proficiency in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, including the use of an automated external defibrillator achieved through instruction provided by an individual, organization, or institution of higher education approved under s. 46.03 (38) to provide such instruction.

447.04(1)(a)6. 6. Completes any other requirements established by the examining board by rule.

447.04(1)(b) (b) Except as provided in par. (c), the examining board may grant a license to practice dentistry to an individual who is licensed in good standing to practice dentistry in another state or territory of the United States or in another country if the applicant complies with all of the following requirements:

447.04(1)(b)1. 1. Meets the requirements for licensure established by the examining board by rule.

447.04(1)(b)2. 2. Submits evidence satisfactory to the examining board that the person has current proficiency in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, including the use of an automated external defibrillator achieved through instruction provided by an individual, organization, or institution of higher education qualified to provide such instruction. The examining board shall consult with the department of health services to determine whether an individual, organization, or institution of higher education is qualified to provide instruction under this subdivision.

447.04(1)(b)3. 3. Presents the license to the examining board and pays the fee specified under s. 440.05 (2).

447.04(1)(bm) (bm) The examining board shall grant a compact privilege to practice dentistry to an individual who does all of the following:

447.04(1)(bm)1. 1. Submits an application for the compact privilege to the department on a form provided by the department.

447.04(1)(bm)2. 2. Pays the applicable fee specified in s. 447.51 (2).

447.04(1)(bm)3. 3. Passes an examination administered by the examining board on the statutes and rules relating to dentistry.

447.04(1)(bm)4. 4. Satisfies all other applicable requirements under s. 447.50 (4).

447.04(1)(c) (c)

447.04(1)(c)1. 1. The examining board shall grant a license to practice dentistry to an applicant who is licensed in good standing to practice dentistry in another jurisdiction upon presentation of the license and who does all of the following: