Sen. Felzkowski and Badger Institute made the case for dental therapists
By Michael Jahr
One year after the passage of a Badger Institute-backed law allowing dental therapy in Wisconsin, the first practitioners are now licensed, and aspiring students will soon be able to pursue a degree at one of the state’s technical colleges.
Emily Reibert of River Falls is one of three newly licensed dental therapists. She has worked both as a dental hygienist and as a dental therapist in Minnesota, where she earned a dual degree from the University of Minnesota. Previously commuting across the border for work, she is now looking to become one of the first practicing dental therapists in the Badger State with her new Wisconsin license.
“Dental therapists are often compared to mid-level providers such as nurse practitioners or physician assistants,” she said. “We have a wider scope of practice than a dental hygienist but a smaller scope than a dentist. (We) play a key role in increasing access to care and can provide a lot of basic dental treatment, allowing dentists to focus on more difficult or complex” cases.
The passage of the dental therapy law was a victory for Wisconsinites living in areas with oral care shortages.
