Dental Assistant Requirements in Wisconsin: Registration, X-Ray Rules & Allowed Duties

Wisconsin's statutes and rules use dental assistant as the ordinary occupational title for an unlicensed person a dentist trains and delegates remediable procedures to, with no separate registration or exam named for that tier.

They also define a certified upper tier: DE 16.02 defines auxiliary as an expanded function dental auxiliary certified under s. 447.04 (3), Stats., and Wis.

Stat. section 447.035(1) defines auxiliary the same way for that chapter.

The source requires no registration or license for the base dental assistant.

To become certified as an expanded function auxiliary, DE 16.03 requires a completed application, the fee under s. 440.05(1), Stats., proof of completing an accredited program, and current CPR/AED proficiency.

Once granted, the certification is permanent unless revoked and is not subject to periodic renewal.

To enroll in the accredited instructional program, an applicant must show either at least 1,000 hours practicing as a dental assistant plus the certified dental assistant credential issued by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc., or at least 2,000 hours practicing as a dental assistant verified by the supervising licensed dentist.

The accredited program itself must include no fewer than 70 hours of classroom instruction.

For any unlicensed individual performing a delegated remediable procedure, section 447.065(1) requires a treatment plan approved by the dentist or dental therapist, the dentist or dental therapist on the premises while the procedure is performed, and the work subject to inspection by the dentist or dental therapist.

For a certified expanded function auxiliary specifically, section 447.035(3)(b)3 requires the delegating dentist to remain on the premises until the procedure is complete and the dentist has verified it was performed successfully.

A certification to practice as an auxiliary permits the holder to perform ten listed procedures as delegated and supervised by a dentist: placement and finishing of restoration material after the dentist prepares the tooth, sealants, coronal polishing, impressions, temporizations, packing cord, removal of cement from crowns, adjustment of dentures and other removable oral appliances, removal of sutures and dressings, and application of topical fluoride, fluoride varnish, or a similar dental topical agent.

The base dental assistant tier has no equivalent enumerated list in the source; a dentist instead delegates remediable procedures to that tier generally under section 447.065, subject to DE 12.01's limits.

DE 12.01 bars a dentist or dental therapist from delegating to any unlicensed person, including a dental assistant, a procedure that could damage the patient's teeth or oral cavity in a way that cannot be remedied without professional intervention, one that could cause an adverse or unintended general systemic reaction, or anything meant as a preliminary assessment, dental hygiene treatment plan, oral screening, or supragingival or subgingival calculus removal.

For a certified expanded function auxiliary specifically, the rules the board promulgates may not permit cutting of hard or soft tissue.

The source names no continuing-education hours for either tier.

The recurring requirement it does impose on the certified expanded function auxiliary is maintaining current proficiency in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, including use of an automated external defibrillator, through instruction from an approved individual, organization, or institution.

DE 16.03(2) separately confirms the certification itself does not expire or require periodic renewal.