Mich. governor signs dental therapist bill

Michigan has become the eighth U.S. state to allow dental therapists to practice.

On December 16, Gov. Rick Snyder (R) signed SB 541, which was sponsored by then-state Rep. Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake) (Shirkey is now a state senator in Michigan). The law establishes the qualifications for dental therapist licensure, including 500 hours of supervised clinical practice under the direct supervision of a dentist. Dental therapists must have a written practice agreement with a supervising dentist to practice.

Currently, dental therapists are licensed in Arizona, Maine, Vermont, and Minnesota and on tribal lands in Oregon, Washington, and Alaska.

Page 1 of 12
Next Page