Wisconsin Board of Dentistry

About the Wisconsin Dentistry Examining Board

Wisconsin regulates dentistry through the Dentistry Examining Board, a body established under Wis. Stat. § 15.405(6) within the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). The Board's regulatory authority flows from Wis. Stat. ch. 447, which governs the practice of dentistry in Wisconsin.

The Board is composed of eleven members: six licensed dentists, three licensed dental hygienists, and two public members. Members serve four-year terms and are appointed by the Governor with confirmation by the state Legislature. Current leadership includes a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and Secretary elected from within the Board.

The Board has published the following statement of purpose:

In addition to dentist and dental hygienist licensing, the Board created a dedicated mobile dentistry chapter (DE 10) effective October 1, 2016, establishing regulatory standards for dental services delivered outside a fixed practice location.

Dental license types in Wisconsin

The Dentistry Examining Board licenses dental professionals under Wis. Stat. ch. 447. DSPS administers all licensing transactions through its credentialing system at licensesearch.wi.gov (lookup) and the state's online licensing portal (applications and renewals).

Primary license types

• Dentist — general practice license for graduates of accredited dental programs who meet Wisconsin examination and background requirements.
• Dental hygienist — license for preventive and clinical hygiene procedures in Wisconsin; has its own continuing education requirements under Board rules.
• Mobile dentistry — dental services provided outside a fixed practice location are subject to the Board's mobile dentistry rules under DE 10 (effective October 1, 2016).

Wisconsin credential holders who complete a valid renewal application with payment by the expiration date are eligible to continue practicing while the renewal is being evaluated, per Wis. Stat. § 227.51(2).

Applying for a Wisconsin dental credential

Wisconsin dental license applications are processed through the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). New applicants and existing credential holders manage their credentials through DSPS's online services, accessible via the DSPS website at dsps.wi.gov.

Applying for a new credential

• Review the Dentistry Examining Board's credential requirements on the DSPS board page before beginning your application.
• Submit your initial application through DSPS's online credentialing system. Required documentation typically includes examination scores, educational transcripts, background check authorization, and proof of good standing in any state where you hold or held a license.
• Examination requirements and eligibility standards are set by the Board under Wis. Stat. ch. 447.

Renewal

License renewals are completed online through DSPS. Under Wis. Stat. § 227.51(2), credential holders who submit a complete renewal application with payment by the expiration date remain eligible to practice while DSPS evaluates the renewal.

License fees and renewal in Wisconsin

Wisconsin dental credentials are renewed on a biennial (two-year) cycle administered by the Department of Safety and Professional Services. Fee schedules are maintained by DSPS and are subject to periodic revision; always verify current amounts on the DSPS website before submitting payment.

Renewal process

Renewals are completed online through DSPS's credential management system. DSPS sends renewal notices before expiration; credential holders who submit a complete renewal application with payment by the deadline remain eligible to practice while the renewal is processed, per Wis. Stat. § 227.51(2).

Continuing education for Wisconsin dental licenses

Wisconsin requires 30 continuing education credit hours per biennial renewal cycle for licensed dentists. These hours must be completed within each two-year licensing biennium and reported at renewal time.

Controlled substances prescribing requirement

Effective October 1, 2017, the 30-hour CE requirement was amended to include a mandatory 2-hour course on the responsible prescribing of controlled substances for the treatment of acute dental pain under Board rule DE 13.03(1m). This requirement first applied to the biennium ending in 2019 and has continued since. The Board references the Best Practices for Prescribing Controlled Substances Guidelines in connection with this requirement.

CE for dental hygienists

Dental hygienists are also subject to CE requirements as a condition of renewal. Specific hour requirements and approved-provider standards for dental hygienist CE are published on the DSPS board page — review current rules before your renewal deadline.

Scope of dental practice in Wisconsin

Dental practice in Wisconsin is governed by Wis. Stat. ch. 447, which defines the authorized scope of practice for dentists, dental hygienists, and other dental professionals. The Dentistry Examining Board interprets and enforces these standards under its regulatory authority.

Mobile and off-site dental services

Wisconsin's DE 10 (effective October 1, 2016) established a dedicated regulatory framework for mobile dentistry — dental care delivered outside a fixed practice location. Providers offering mobile dental services must comply with DE 10 requirements in addition to standard licensure obligations.

Dental hygienists

Dental hygienists in Wisconsin hold a separate license from dentists and are authorized to perform defined preventive and clinical hygiene procedures. The exact scope — including supervision requirements and authorized procedures — is set by Board rule and statute. Review the current provisions under Wis. Stat. ch. 447 and applicable Board rules before adding a new service or supervision arrangement to your practice.

Filing a complaint against a Wisconsin dental licensee

Complaints against Wisconsin dental licensees are filed with the Department of Safety and Professional Services. The Division of Legal Services and Compliance (DLSC) — staffed by attorneys, investigators, and legal staff — receives, investigates, and prosecutes complaints. DSPS handles approximately 3,000 complaints annually across all regulated professions.

How to file a complaint

• Online — the preferred method; submit at license.wi.gov/s/public-complaint-form.
• By mail — Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, Division of Legal Services and Compliance, P.O. Box 7190, Madison, WI 53707-7190.

To select the correct complaint category, use the DSPS A-Z Professions List and select "Health" professions before identifying dentistry.

Investigation and outcomes

Complaint cases may take in excess of a year to reach conclusion depending on complexity. DSPS states that disciplinary action serves three purposes: protecting the public, rehabilitating the credential holder, and deterring other credential holders. Formal disciplinary actions are monitored by DLSC's Monitoring Unit.

Alternatives to a DSPS complaint

DSPS recommends considering other options before or alongside filing a complaint, including direct discussion with the provider or their supervisor, small claims court for financial disputes, individual legal representation, and referral to professional associations and societies.

Wisconsin Dental Association (WDA)

The Wisconsin Dental Association (WDA) is the statewide professional association for Wisconsin dentists, founded in 1870 and currently representing more than 3,100 members. The WDA is headquartered in West Allis (a Milwaukee suburb) and maintains a legislative office in Madison. It is a constituent member of the American Dental Association.

Local component societies

WDA membership includes affiliation with 24 local dental societies located throughout Wisconsin, providing regional networking, continuing education, and advocacy opportunities at the community level.

Member services

• Legislative advocacy — the WDA's Madison office monitors and engages with state legislative and regulatory matters affecting dental practice.
• Business resources — a Business Resource Directory connects members with endorsed products and services including financial tools, practice technology, and supply programs.
• Text alerts — members may sign up for legislative news and event registration reminders via text.
• Mental health support — the WDA Foundation provides up to four free counseling sessions per year for WDA member dentists.

Disciplinary actions and credential verification

Formal disciplinary actions against Wisconsin dental credential holders become part of the public credential record accessible through DSPS's license lookup portal. Credential status categories include Active, Inactive, Suspended, Revoked, and any active probationary conditions.

How to look up disciplinary records

• Go to licensesearch.wi.gov, DSPS's official credential verification portal.
• Search by the practitioner's name or credential number.
• Current credential status — including any disciplinary conditions attached to the credential — will appear in the search results.

The credential lookup at licensesearch.wi.gov constitutes official certification of licensure in Wisconsin and is accepted for Joint Commission and NCQA primary-source verification purposes.

Other state dental boards