On June 21, Governor Scott Walker signed Assembly Bill 146 into law. Assembly Bill 146 allows dental hygienists to practice in more settings with fewer restrictions. Currently, dental hygienists in Wisconsin can practice dental hygiene without authorization or oversight of a dentist in three settings: schools, local public health departments, and dental and dental hygiene schools. This bill allows this same level of care to occur in additional settings such as nursing homes, hospitals, day care centers and physician’s offices. Assembly Bill 146 passed the Assembly and Senate unanimously.

Several leading health organizations supported the bill, including the Wisconsin Dental Hygienists’ Association, Wisconsin Dental Association, Wisconsin Hospital Association, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, the Alliance, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.