Last week, a memo requesting co-sponsors for a Dental Therapy bill was circulated by Sen. Felzkowski and Rep. Plumer. Authorizing licensure of Dental Therapists is a long-standing state priority for WPHCA and Community Health Centers and will allow existing team members to work at the top of their training, create efficiencies, expand our workforce, and ultimately improve oral health outcomes.

All State Senators voted in support of the bill in April 2021; it did not receive a hearing in the Assembly. See the bipartisan list of supporters from 2021 SB 181 / AB 169 here. There are no substantive changes from the bill last session but there are a few items on accreditation and employment that are further clarified and in line with the original intent of the bill. We are confident that the hurdles that led to the bill’s inaction in 2021 have been addressed. WDA remains neutral on the bill this session, as they did last time for the first time.

Explore resources:

• New! Dental Therapy Issue Brief
• Joint Letter of Support
• Co-sponsorship memo
• State Journal Article: Could dental therapists be the answer to long waits for dentists in Wisconsin?
• Dental Professions Comparison Chart

We urge you to authorize Dental Therapy in Wisconsin and sign on in support of LRB-4950/1 & LRB 5024/1. If you would like to co-sponsor this bill, please contact Senator Felzkowski’s office at 6-2509 or Representative Plumer’s office at 9142 by 12:00pm this Friday, November 10^th. 

LICENSURE OF DENTAL THERAPISTS IN WISCONSIN - FEAT. WPHCA'S RICHELLE ANDRAE AS SPEAKER

November 9

11:00am-12:00pm

Join Children's Health Alliance of Wisconsin's oral health initiative this week, Thursday, Nov. 9 for the webinar, Licensure of Dental Therapists in Wisconsin. Speakers are Richelle Andrae (WPHCA); Matt Crespin (Children's Alliance of WI); and Senator Mary Felzkowski (bill sponsor).

Webinar topics include:

• Overview of dental therapy
• Overview of the bill
• Discussion around advocacy efforts

Each year, Community Health Centers submit data to the federal government on the visits they provide and other clinical and patient measures.

Did you know? In 2022, Wisconsin Community Health Centers provided 1,099,823 total visits to 282,441 patients.

Community Health Centers serve patients from every single Wisconsin district. Explore local district-specific data today!

FAMILY HEALTH LA CLINICA EXPANDS

WHN News

Family Health La Clinica is pursuing its largest capital projects yet. 

The community health center has locations in Beaver Dam, Friendship, Mauston, Stevens Point and Wautoma. A mobile unit offers services to migrant and seasonal agricultural worker communities.

The organization is pursuing a roughly 35,000-square-foot clinic in Stevens Point that will include 46 treatment rooms and offer services like dental care, medical care and behavioral healthcare. 

Family Health La Clinica broke ground on the facility last month and expects to open it in the first quarter of 2025, CEO Laura Waldvogel said in an interview with Wisconsin Health News. 

“This will be quite an expansion,” she said.

She attributed the growth to a “need for improved access to those who are the most vulnerable.”

PROGRESSIVE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS & FOOD FOR HEALTH PARTNER TO IMPROVE MATERNAL & INFANT ADVERSE BIRTH OUTCOMES THROUGH FOOD IS MEDICINE

PR Newswire

On Food is Medicine Day, Progressive Community Health Centers is teaming up with Milwaukee-based non-profit Food For Health to lower the rates of maternal and infant adverse outcomes for high-risk women in Milwaukee's vulnerable communities.

During the nearly year-long demonstration project, FFH will supply Medically Tailored Meals, nutrition education, and personalized well-being coaching to the three quarters of PCHC's prenatal patients considered high risk due to diet-related conditions like type 2 Diabetes, acquired gestational diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and preeclampsia.

NORTHLAKES MOVES TO NEW LOCATION IN MARINETTE

NorthLakes News

NorthLakes Community Clinic’s new location in Marinette has opened, greatly enhancing the ability to break down barriers to wellness in the area. The new space is the former site of Sears on Cleveland Avenue. Services include Behavioral Health, Chiropractic and limited Dental services.

“The providers and staff were ready for this move,” says clinic manager, Lauryn Baranek. “We are excited to be able to have the space to offer Dental and in-office Behavioral Health for our patients, complementing the Chiropractic care we have been providing at our previous clinic.”

HEALTH CARE WORKERS ARE PLAGUED BY BURNOUT. HERE'S HOW TO TREAT IT.

The Cap Times

Burned out health care workers may not do the “little things” that help patients trust them and the complex health care system they’re part of, said Ken Loving, family physician and CEO of Access Community Health Centers.  

“Building trust is really about making that extra effort to make sure people have a positive experience,” Loving said. “It's very hard to do that when people are struggling with burnout.”

Find a Community Health Center Near You!

WPHCA is proud to serve Wisconsin's 19 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) also known as Community Health Centers (CHCs). This newsletter includes information on Community Health Centers' priorities, resources, and stories from patients and clinics.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to WPHCA with any questions or to request additional information and constituent support to identify primary care providers. Find your local clinic here. 

THANK YOU!



If you’re interested in discussing any of the legislation above or other policy priorities, please connect with WPHCA’s Government Relations Specialist:

Richelle Andrae

randrae@wphca.org

(608) 571-6168