MADISON — Could a bill licensing dental therapists finally make the cut in the Wisconsin Legislature?

The Senate last week on a voice vote unanimously passed the legislation, which would create a mid-level oral health care provider position known as dental therapists. DTs are similar to nurse practitioners or physician assistants in medical practices, with training in routine dentistry.

The bill’s author, Sen. Mary Felzkowski (R-Irma), has championed the bill for three sessions, dating back to her time in the state Assembly. She says the program, just as it has done in neighboring Minnesota, could go a long way in narrowing the oral health care gap in Wisconsin’s low-income communities.

“Over 50 developed countries have dental therapists and have been using it for years as access to oral health care,” Felzkowski told Empower Wisconsin Monday on the Vicki McKenna Show.

Sen. Felzkowski is our guest today on PowerUp, Empower Wisconsin’s podcast.