Tony Evers signed a package of bipartisan legislation aimed at expanding access to dental care and addressing dental workforce shortages across the state into law Wednesday. U.S. Health Resources Administration data released this month found shortages of dental care in 160 areas of Wisconsin, defined as geographic areas, facilities or populations experiencing a shortage of care providers. The package Evers signed includes five bills, including one that authorizes licenses for dental therapists who practice in areas experiencing shortages in care. Dental therapists are positions between a dentist and a hygienist — they can fill cavities but can't perform more complex operations like root canals. Evers signed the bills at Northcentral Technical College in Wausau.

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Persons: Tony Evers, Evers Organizations: —, — Wisconsin Gov, Health Resources Administration, Marquette University, Northcentral Technical College Locations: MADISON, Wis, — Wisconsin, Wisconsin, Wausau