Dentists and Dental Hygienists

Wyo. Stat. Ann. tit. 33, ch. 15
in effect

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 33-15-101 Board of dental examiners; generally.

(a) The board shall carry out the purposes and enforce the provisions of this act. The board shall consist of six (6) members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the state senate. Appointments made between sessions of the legislature shall be made in accordance with W.S. 28-12-101. The interim appointments are not considered a term for the purposes of subsection (c) of this section, relating to reappointment to the board. (b) The term for board members is four (4) years, and expires on March 1. Effective July 1, 1979, appointments and terms shall be in accordance with W.S. 28-12-101 through 28-12-103. (c) No person is eligible to membership on the board who is not legally qualified to practice; who has not engaged in the active practice of dentistry in the state of Wyoming for at least five (5) continuous years immediately prior to appointment; who does not at the time of his appointment hold a certificate entitling him to practice dentistry in the state of Wyoming; and who is not a resident of the state of Wyoming. One (1) appointed member of the board shall be a dental hygienist who has the qualifications provided in this act. No member shall succeed himself in office for more than two (2) successive terms. (d) Any vacancy upon the board caused by the resignation, death or removal of a member shall be filled by the governor by appointment for the unexpired term of that member. Any appointment to fill a vacancy shall be made within ninety (90) days after the vacancy occurs. (e) Appointments by the governor to the board shall be made from a list of recommended names submitted by the Wyoming Dental Association and Wyoming Dental Hygiene Association as follows: (i) The Wyoming Dental Association shall, through its secretary, present to the governor within fifteen (15) days after its regular annual meeting a list of the names of not less than ten (10) candidates from which appointments for vacancies on the board occurring during the ensuing year shall be made; and (ii) The Wyoming Dental Hygiene Association shall, through its secretary, present to the governor within fifteen (15) days after its regular annual meeting a list of not less than three (3) candidates from which appointments for vacancies on the board occurring during the ensuing year shall be made. (f) Each member of the board shall, before entering upon the duties of his office, take and subscribe an oath or affirmation that he will support the constitution and the laws of the United States and the state of Wyoming, and that he will faithfully perform the duties as a member of the board. (g) Repealed By Laws 2007, Ch. 210, § 3.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 33-15-102 Board of dental examiners; officers; seal; meetings; quorum.

(a) The board shall elect from its members a president, vice-president and a secretary-treasurer. The board shall have a common seal. The board shall meet in June each year, and more often if necessary, at such times and places designated by the president and the board. The meeting of the board shall be at the call of the president and the secretary-treasurer. Five (5) days notice shall be given by the secretary-treasurer to all board members of the time and place of the meeting. A majority of the board constitutes a quorum. (b) Repealed by Laws 1981, ch. 172, § 3.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 33-15-103 Board of dental examiners; removal of members.

The governor may remove any member as provided in W.S. 9-1-202 or for discontinued residence in Wyoming.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 33-15-104 Board of dental examiners; indebtedness; compensation.

The board shall not create any indebtedness on behalf of the state of Wyoming, except as provided in this section. Out of the funds assessed by the board, each of the members of the board shall receive compensation each day or part of a day in which they are engaged in performance of their official duties, including necessary travel, at the same rate as state legislators and shall receive per diem and mileage as provided in W.S. 33-1-302(a)(vii) incurred in the performance of their official duties. The secretary of the board shall receive compensation for his services.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 33-15-105 Disposition of monies received and collected under provisions of chapter; report.

(a) All monies shall be received and collected as provided by law. The state treasurer shall place the money in a separate account, which shall only be paid out upon an authorized voucher duly verified by the board president and signed by the president and either the secretary of the board, or his designee, showing that the expenditure is a necessary expense and has been actually and properly incurred by the board. Upon presentation of the voucher, the auditor shall draw the warrant upon the treasurer but no warrant shall be drawn unless and until there are sufficient monies in the account to pay same and the expenses of the board shall not be charged upon any other state fund or account. Any money on hand at the dissolution of the board or the repeal of this act shall be paid to the credit of the common school permanent land fund account. (b) The board shall report annually to the governor respecting all activities, as required by W.S. 9-2-1014.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 33-15-106 Determination of fees.

The board shall establish fees by rule and regulation for the issuance of licenses and administration of examinations pursuant to this act.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 33-15-107 Sale of license.

Any member of the board who sells or offers to sell any license, or modify scoring or grading of a test to issue a license is subject to prosecution under W.S. 6-5-102.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 33-15-108 Licensing; qualifications; examinations; fees.

(a) Any person who has a background that does not evidence conduct adverse to the practice of dentistry or to the ability to practice dentistry, who has graduated and attained the degree of doctor of dental surgery or doctor of dental medicine from a college or university in the United States or Canada accredited by the commission on dental accreditation of the American Dental Association, may apply to the board to have the applicant's qualifications considered for licensure to practice dentistry. The applicant shall pass a written, clinical and state examination that follows national standards as determined by rule of the board. (b) The board may set fees for initial examinations and reexamination. Fees shall be paid to the board office before the examination or reexamination. The fee shall be paid by any method designated by the board, and in no case shall the fee be refunded. (c) The applicant shall be informed of the results of his examination within thirty (30) days after the examination. (d) Repealed By Laws 2009, Ch. 181, § 2. (e) If the applicant fails the board examination three (3) times, he shall show evidence of additional education to the satisfaction of the board before he may be reexamined. (f) The board shall keep records of the names and addresses of all applicants and such other matters as affords a full record of the actions of the board. The records or transcripts of the records, duly certified by the president and secretary of the board with the seal of the board attached, is prima facie evidence before all courts of this state of the entries therein. (g) The board shall make and prescribe all reasonable rules for its governance and for the conduct of its business. (h) The board may make and prescribe rules and regulations for the licensure and practice of dentistry in the state of Wyoming, not inconsistent with this act. For purposes of this subsection, "practice of dentistry" includes the work of dental hygienists, dental auxiliaries, dental technicians and dental laboratories.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 33-15-109 Renewal license certificate.

(a) On or before December 31 of every second year, each dentist licensed to practice dentistry in this state and wishing to continue in the practice of dentistry shall submit a license renewal application with the applicable renewal fee. Any license granted by the board shall expire if the holder fails to secure the renewal certificate within three (3) months after the date that the license renewal application is required to be submitted. (b) Any dentist whose application for renewal indicates that the dentist has not actively practiced dentistry or engaged in teaching dentistry or dental hygiene for the preceding five (5) years shall be issued a renewal certificate only after demonstrating to the board that the dentist has maintained the qualifications set forth in this act. The board may require reexamination if it finds good cause to believe that the person has not maintained the professional ability and knowledge required of an original licensee. (c) The board may set continuing education requirements for renewal certificates and relicensure certificates. The board shall require three (3) hours of continuing education related to the responsible prescribing of controlled substances every two (2) years.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 33-15-110 Certificate entitles dentist to practice in any county; lost certificates.

The certificate provided for in this act entitles the holder to practice dentistry in any county in Wyoming. The board, upon satisfactory proof of loss of the certificate issued under this act, shall issue a new certificate. The cost of replacement shall be determined by the board and paid by the person requesting replacement.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 33-15-111 List of licensees filed with board office.

The board shall annually publish a list of all dentists and dental hygienists licensed under this act. The list shall contain the name and address of each dentist and dental hygienist and such other information as the board deems advisable. The board office shall furnish copies to the public upon request or by access to the board's website.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 33-15-112 Grounds and procedure for revocation or suspension of license.

(a) The board may refuse to issue or renew a license, may suspend or revoke a license, may reprimand, restrict or impose conditions on the practice of a dentist for any one (1) or more of the following causes: (i) Conviction of, entry of a plea of nolo contendere to or entry of a deferred prosecution agreement pursuant to W.S. 7-13-301 to a felony or misdemeanor that relates adversely to the practice of dentistry or the ability to practice dentistry; (ii) Renting or loaning to another person the dentist's license or diploma to be used as a license or diploma for the other person; (iii) Unprofessional conduct as defined in rules and regulations of the board; (iv) Advertising or soliciting patients, in any form of communication, in a manner that is false or misleading in any material respect; (v) Being unfit or incompetent to practice dentistry for any reason, including but not limited to: (A) Inability to practice dentistry with reasonable skill and safety because of physical or mental disability or the use of alcohol, prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs or other psychoactive substance; (B) Performance of unsafe dental practice or failure to conform to the standards of acceptable professional dental practice, whether or not actual injury results. (vi) Professional discipline by a professional licensing board in any jurisdiction; (vii) Fraud, deceit or misrepresentation in providing any information or record to the board; or (viii) Willful violation of any provisions of this act or rules and regulations of the board. (b) The proceedings under this section may be taken by the board from matters within its knowledge or upon information from another. If the informant is a member of the board, the other members of the board shall judge the accused. All complaints shall be in writing, verified by some party familiar with the facts alleged or by additional information or data which supports the complaint and shall be filed with the board. Upon receiving the complaint, the board shall proceed as in a contested case under the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act and rules and regulations of the board. Upon revocation of any license, the fact shall be noted upon the records of the board and the license shall be marked cancelled upon the date of its revocation. (c) Upon receipt from the department of family services of a certified copy of an order from a court to withhold, suspend or otherwise restrict a license issued by the board, the board shall notify the party named in the court order of the withholding, suspension or restriction of the license in accordance with the terms of the court order. No appeal under the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act shall be allowed for a license withheld, suspended or restricted under this subsection.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 33-15-114 Persons deemed to be practicing dentistry; work authorizations from licensed dentist.

(a) Except as provided by paragraph (xii) of this subsection, any person is deemed to be practicing dentistry within the meaning of this act: (i) Who performs, or attempts, or advertises to perform, or causes to be performed by the patient or any other person, or instructs in the performance of any dental operation or oral surgery or dental service of any kind gratuitously or for a salary, fee, money or other remuneration paid, or to be paid, directly or indirectly, to himself or to any other person or agency; (ii) Who is a manager, proprietor, operator or a conductor of a place where dental operations, oral surgery or dental services are performed; (iii) Who directly or indirectly by any means or method furnishes, supplies, constructs, reproduces or repairs any prosthetic denture, bridge, appliance or other structure to be worn in the human mouth, or places such appliance or structure in the human mouth or attempts to adjust the same; (iv) Who advertises to the public by any method to furnish, supply, construct, reproduce or repair any prosthetic denture, bridge, appliance or other structure to be worn in the human mouth; (v) Who diagnoses or professes to diagnose, prescribes for or professes to prescribe for, treats or professes to treat disease, pain, deformity, deficiency, injury or physical condition of human teeth or jaws, or adjacent structure; (vi) Who extracts or attempts to extract human teeth, or corrects or professes to correct malpositions of teeth or of the jaw; (vii) Who gives or professes to give interpretations or readings of dental radiographs; (viii) Who administers an anesthetic of any nature in connection with dental operations; (ix) Who uses the words "dentist", "dental surgeon" or "oral surgeon", the letters "D.D.S.", "D.M.D." or any other words, letters, title or descriptive matter which in any way represents him as being able to diagnose, treat, prescribe or operate for any disease, pain, deformity, deficiency, injury or physical condition of human teeth or jaws, or adjacent structures; (x) Who states or advertises or permits to be stated through any medium of communication that the licensee can perform or will attempt to perform dental treatment or render a diagnosis in connection therewith; or (xi) Who engages in any of the practices included in the curriculum of an approved dental college; (xii) A dental laboratory or dental technician is not practicing dentistry within the meaning of this act when engaged in the construction, making, alteration or repairing of bridges, crowns, dentures or other prosthetic or surgical appliances, or orthodontic appliances if the casts or molds or impressions upon which the work is constructed have been made by a regularly licensed and practicing dentist, and if all crowns, bridges, dentures or prosthetic appliances, surgical appliances or orthodontic appliances are returned to the dentist upon whose order the work is constructed. (b) Any licensed dentist who employs or engages the service of any person, firm or corporation to construct, reproduce, make, alter or repair bridges, crowns, dentures or other prosthetic, surgical or orthodontic appliances shall furnish the person with a written work authorization on forms prescribed by the board, which contain: (i) The name and address of the person to whom the work authorized is directed; (ii) The patient's name or identification number, but if only a number is used the patient's name shall be written upon the duplicate copy of the work authorization retained by the dentist; (iii) The date on which the work authorization was written; (iv) A description of the work to be done, including diagrams, if necessary; (v) A specification of the type and quality of the material to be used; (vi) The signature of the dentist and the number of his license to practice dentistry. (c) The person, firm or corporation receiving a work authorization from a licensed dentist shall retain the original work authorization and the dentist shall retain the duplicate copy for inspection at any reasonable time by the board or its authorized agents for two (2) years from date of issuance.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 33-15-115 Persons to whom chapter inapplicable.

(a) Nothing in this act contained applies: (i) To a legally qualified medical doctor; (ii) To a legally qualified dental hygienist or dentist engaged in full-time duties with the United States armed forces, public health service, veterans administration or other federal agencies; (iii) To a legally qualified dental hygienist or dentist of another state making a clinical demonstration before a meeting of dentists or dental auxiliaries; or (iv) To dental and dental hygiene students actively enrolled in any American Dental Association accredited dental educational program performing services as a part of the curriculum of that program under the direct supervision of a Wyoming licensed dentist or Wyoming licensed dental hygienist instructor.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 33-15-116 Certain persons prohibited from soliciting patronage of general public.

No person engaged in business of constructing, altering or repairing bridges, crowns, dentures or other prosthetic appliances, surgical appliances or orthodontic appliances shall directly or indirectly solicit the patronage of the general public.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 33-15-117 Dental laboratory technicians.

Dentists may employ one (1) or more dental laboratory technicians who work only under the direction and supervision of the dentist and who shall not be permitted under any circumstances to do any work upon any patient. Dental laboratory technicians shall not be allowed to do laboratory work of any kind except at the direction of dentists duly licensed to practice, and then only upon written prescription issued by the dentists.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 33-15-119 Dental hygienists; generally.

Any dentist authorized to practice dentistry within the state may employ dental hygienists who shall be examined and possess the qualifications provided in this act. A dental hygienist may perform any services for a patient which are consistent with what dental hygienists are trained to do in accredited dental hygiene schools accredited by the commission on dental accreditation of the American Dental Association. Hygienists shall not perform any other operation on the teeth or mouth and shall be regulated by the rules and regulations promulgated by the board. The above services shall be performed under the supervision of a licensed dentist. Dental hygienists shall practice in the office of any licensed dentist, or in any public or private institution under the supervision of a licensed dentist. The board may revoke or suspend the license of any dentist who permits any dental hygienist operating under his supervision to perform any operations or functions other than those permitted under this act.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 33-15-120 Dental hygienists; qualifications; examination; fees and license.

(a) Any person who has a background that does not evidence conduct adverse to the practice of dental hygiene or to the ability to practice dental hygiene who is a graduate of a dental hygiene program accredited by the commission on dental accreditation of the American Dental Association, who has passed a written, clinical and state examination as determined by rule of the board may apply to the board to have the person's qualifications considered for licensure to practice dental hygiene. (b) If the applicant fails the board examination three (3) times, he shall show evidence of additional education to the satisfaction of the board before reexamination. (c) If the applicant successfully completes the requirements for licensure, the applicant shall be licensed as a dental hygienist. If the expanded duties applicant has successfully met the requirements for expanded duties, the applicant shall be certified in those expanded duties. The certificate issued by the board shall list the expanded duties which the hygienist is qualified and permitted to perform. On or before December 31 of every second year, each dental hygienist licensed to practice dental hygiene and wishing to continue in the practice of dental hygiene shall submit a license renewal application with the applicable renewal fee. The renewal certificate shall be made available to the supervising dentist. Any license granted by the board shall expire if the holder fails to secure the renewal certificate within three (3) months after the date that the license renewal application is required to be submitted. Any license that has expired may be restored by the board upon payment of a fee set by the board, if paid by December 31 of the year the license expired. (d) Any dental hygienist whose application for renewal indicates that the hygienist has not actively practiced dental hygiene or engaged in teaching dental hygiene for the preceding five (5) years shall be issued a renewal certificate only after demonstrating to the board that the hygienist has maintained the qualifications set forth in this act. The board may require reexamination if it finds good cause to believe that the person has not maintained the professional ability and knowledge required of an original licensee under this act. (e) The board shall promulgate reasonable rules and regulations for the licensure of dental hygienists and the practice of dental hygiene, and may prescribe continuing education requirements for renewal certificates and relicensure.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 33-15-121 Grounds and proceedings for suspension of, revocation of, or refusal to renew license.

(a) The board may refuse to issue or renew, or may suspend or revoke, the license of any dental hygienist for any of the following causes: (i) Conviction of, entry of a plea of nolo contendere to or entry of a deferred prosecution agreement pursuant to W.S. 7-13-301 to a felony or misdemeanor that relates adversely to the practice of dental hygiene or the ability to practice dental hygiene; (ii) Unprofessional conduct, as defined in rules and regulations of the board; (iii) Advertising or soliciting patients, in any form of communication, in a manner that is false or misleading in any material respect; (iv) Renting or loaning to another person the hygienist's license or diploma to be used as a license or diploma for the other person; (v) Being unfit or incompetent to practice dental hygiene for any reason, including but not limited to: (A) Inability to practice dental hygiene with reasonable skill and safety because of physical or mental disability or the use of alcohol, prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs or other psychoactive substance; or (B) Performance of unsafe dental hygiene practice or failure to conform to the standards of acceptable professional dental hygiene practice, whether or not actual injury results. (vi) Professional discipline by a professional licensing board in any jurisdiction; (vii) Fraud, deceit or misrepresentation in providing any information or record to the board; or (viii) For willful violation of any provision of this act or rules and regulations of the board. (b) All proceedings by the board pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be as set forth in W.S. 33-15-112(b) for the revocation or suspension of a dentist's license. (c) Upon receipt from the department of family services of a certified copy of an order from a court to withhold, suspend or otherwise restrict a license issued by the board, the board shall notify the party named in the court order of the withholding, suspension or restriction of the license in accordance with the terms of the court order. No appeal under the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act shall be allowed for a license withheld, suspended or restricted under this subsection.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 33-15-123 Duties of other dental auxiliary.

Duties of all other dental auxiliary personnel not mentioned in this act shall be set and governed by the rules and regulations of the board.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 33-15-124 Violations.

Any person who practices dentistry without being properly qualified and licensed, or who violates any provisions of this act is subject to a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), or imprisonment not more than two (2) years in the penitentiary, or both. Each separate violation of this act constitutes a separate offense.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 33-15-126 Regulation of proceedings relating to revocation or suspension of licenses.

All proceedings before the board relating to the revocation or suspension of licenses shall be conducted according to the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act, except appeals under the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act shall not be allowed for revocations, suspensions or other restrictions imposed on licenses pursuant to W.S. 33-15-112(c) or 33-15-121(c).

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 33-15-127 Action for injunction.

The board in its own name may bring an action for an injunction, and courts of this state may enjoin any person from violation of this act. Such proceedings shall be prosecuted by the attorney general's office or by private counsel.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 33-15-128 Definitions.

(a) As used in this act: (i) "Board" means the Wyoming board of dental examiners established by this act; (ii) "Dentistry" means the healing art practiced by a dentist which is concerned with the examination, diagnosis, treatment, planning and care of conditions within the human oral cavity and its adjacent tissues and structures; (iii) "Dentist" means a person who performs any intraoral and extraoral procedure required in the practice of dentistry and to whom is reserved: (A) The responsibility for final diagnosis of conditions within the human mouth and its adjacent tissues and structures; (B) The responsibility of the final treatment plan of any dental patient; (C) The responsibility for prescribing drugs which are administered to patients in the practice of dentistry; (D) The responsibility for overall quality of patient care which is rendered or performed in the practice of dentistry regardless of whether the care is rendered personally by the dentist or by a dental auxiliary; and (E) Other specific services within the scope of the practice of dentistry. (iv) "Dental" means pertaining to dentistry; (v) "Dental hygienist" means a person who is supervised by a dentist and is licensed to render the educational, preventive and therapeutic dental services defined in this act, as well as any extraoral procedure required in the practice of a dental hygienist's duties; (vi) "Dental assistant" means a person who is supervised by a dentist and renders assistance to a dentist, dental hygienist, dental technician or another dental assistant as described in this act; (vii) "Dental laboratory" means an enterprise engaged in making, repairing, providing or altering oral prosthetic appliances and other artificial materials and devices which are returned to the dentist and inserted into the human mouth or which come into contact with its adjacent structures and tissues; (viii) "Dental laboratory technician" means a person who, at the direction of a licensed dentist, makes, provides, repairs or alters oral prosthetic appliances and other artificial devices which are inserted into the human mouth or which come into contact with the human mouth and its adjacent tissues and structures. A dental technician is a dental prosthetic auxiliary working under the supervision of a licensed dentist; (ix) "Dental auxiliary" means any person who works under the supervision of a dentist and who provides dental care services to a patient; (x) "Supervision" of a dental auxiliary means the act of directing or overseeing duties performed by a dental auxiliary, as defined by rules and regulations of the board; (xi) Repealed By Laws 2007, Ch. 210, § 3. (xii) "Proprietor" includes any person who: (A) Employs dentists, dental hygienists or dental auxiliaries in the operation of a dental office, except as defined in this act; or (B) Places in the possession of a dentist, dental hygienist or dental auxiliary or other agent such dental material or equipment as may be necessary for the management of a dental office on the basis of a lease or any other agreement for compensation for the use of such material, equipment or offices; or (C) Retains the ownership or control of dental equipment or material or office and makes the same available in any manner for the use by dentists, dental hygienists, dental auxiliaries or any other agents, excepting that nothing in this subparagraph shall apply to bona fide sales of dental equipment or material secured by a chattel mortgage or retain-title agreement or the loan of articulators. (xiii) "Expanded duties" means those patient's services which are beyond those regularly practiced by dental hygienists or dental technicians or other dental auxiliary functions and which require additional education which shall be approved by the board of dental examiners of Wyoming and are to be performed under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist; (xiv) "Specialty" means a special area of dental practice for ethical specialty announcement and limitation of practice which are dental public health, endodontics, oral pathology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, prosthodontics, oral and maxillofacial radiology and any other specialty area recognized by the board of dental examiners of Wyoming; (xv) "Radiograph" means the film used with an x-ray machine and includes the product of a film exposed by an x-ray machine; (xvi) "X-ray machine" means an assemblage of components for the controlled production of x-rays. It includes at a minimum an x-ray high voltage generator, an x-ray control, a tube housing assembly, a beam limiting device and the necessary supporting structures; (xvii) "This act" means W.S. 33-15-101 through 33-15-133 and may be cited as the "Wyoming Dental Practice Act".

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 33-15-129 Radiograph use permits.

(a) Any dental assistant who places or exposes radiographs shall hold a radiograph use permit. (b) Any licensed dentist using an x-ray machine shall have that machine inspected by a qualified radiation expert periodically as determined by the board. (c) The board shall promulgate reasonable rules and regulations necessary for granting or revoking a radiograph use permit and for inspection of x-ray machines.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 33-15-130 General anesthesia or parenteral sedation permit.

(a) Any dentist licensed under this act who administers general anesthesia or parenteral sedation shall apply for and receive a general anesthesia or parenteral sedation permit. The permit shall be issued to a licensed dentist who passes an appropriate examination and has the necessary equipment as defined by the board. (b) The board shall provide for the inspection of the anesthesia and sedation equipment of permitted dentists on a regular basis to insure the equipment is of the appropriate type and is in working order. (c) Any dentist using general anesthesia or parenteral sedation without a permit may have his license revoked or suspended. (d) The board shall promulgate reasonable rules and regulations, including establishing examination fees, as necessary to carry out this section.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 33-15-131 Dentist and dental hygienist volunteer license.

(a) As used in this section: (i) "Low income uninsured person" means a person who meets all of the following requirements: (A) The person's income is not greater than two hundred percent (200%) of the current poverty level as defined by federal law, as amended; (B) The person currently is not receiving medical, disability or other assistance under any federal or state government health care program; and (C) Either of the following applies: (I) The person is not a policyholder, certificate holder, insured, contract holder, subscriber, enrollee, member, beneficiary or other covered individual under a health insurance or health care policy, contract or plan; or (II) The person is a policyholder, certificate holder, insured, contract holder, subscriber, enrollee, member, beneficiary or other covered individual under a health insurance or health care policy, contract or plan, but the insurer, policy, contract or plan denies coverage or is the subject of insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings in any jurisdiction. (ii) "Nonprofit health care facility" means a charitable nonprofit corporation or association organized and operated under title 17, chapter 19 or 22 of the Wyoming statutes, or any charitable organization not organized and not operated for profit, that provides health care services to low income uninsured persons, except that "health care facility" does not include a hospital, including a swing bed hospital, facility or center defined under W.S. 35-2-901 or any other medical facility that is operated for profit. (b) For purposes of this section, a person shall be considered retired from practice if the person's license or certificate has expired. (c) The state board of dental examiners may issue, with or without examination, a volunteer's certificate to a person who is retired from practice so that the person may provide dental services to low income uninsured persons at nonprofit health care facilities. The board shall deny issuance of a volunteer's certificate to a person who is not qualified under this section to hold a volunteer's certificate. (d) An application for a volunteer's certificate shall include all of the following: (i) A copy of the applicant's dentistry or dental hygienist degree; (ii) One (1) of the following, as applicable: (A) A copy of the applicant's most recent license or certificate authorizing the practice of dentistry or dental hygiene issued by a jurisdiction in the United States that licenses persons to practice dentistry or dental hygiene; or (B) A copy of the applicant's most recent license equivalent to a license to practice dentistry or dental hygiene in one (1) or more branches of the United States armed services that the United States government issued. (iii) Evidence of one (1) of the following, as applicable: (A) That the applicant has maintained for at least ten (10) years immediately prior to retirement full licensure in good standing in any jurisdiction in the United States that licenses persons to practice as a dentist or dental hygienist; or (B) That the applicant has practiced for at least ten (10) years immediately prior to retirement in good standing as a dentist or dental hygienist in one (1) or more of the branches of the United States armed services; and (iv) A notarized statement from the applicant, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant: (A) Will not accept any form of remuneration for any dental or dental hygiene services rendered while in possession of a volunteer's certificate; (B) Will devote his practice exclusively and totally to providing dental or dental hygiene services to low income uninsured persons at a nonprofit health care facility in this state; and (C) Will provide any other documentation that the board reasonably may require. (e) The holder of a volunteer's certificate may provide dental or dental hygiene services only on the premises of a nonprofit health care facility in this state and only to low income uninsured persons. The holder shall not accept any form of remuneration for providing dental or dental hygiene services while in possession of the certificate. The board may revoke a volunteer's certificate on receiving proof satisfactory to the board that the holder has engaged in practice in this state outside the scope of the certificate. (f) A volunteer's certificate shall be valid for a period of one (1) year, unless earlier revoked under subsection (e) of this section or pursuant to title 33, chapter 15 of the Wyoming statutes. A volunteer's certificate may be renewed upon the application of the holder. The board shall maintain a register of all persons who hold volunteer's certificates. The board shall not charge a fee for issuing or renewing a certificate pursuant to this section. (g) To be eligible for renewal of a volunteer's certificate, the holder of the certificate shall certify to the board completion of any continuing education required under this act as if the holder of the certificate were in active practice. The board shall not renew a certificate if the holder has not complied with the continuing education requirements. The nonprofit health care facility in which the holder provides dental or dental hygiene services may pay for or reimburse the holder for any costs incurred in obtaining the required continuing education. (h) The board shall issue to each person who qualifies under this section a volunteer's certificate that states the certificate holder is authorized to provide dental or dental hygiene services pursuant to the laws of this state. (j) Except as provided in this section, any person holding a volunteer's certificate issued by the board under this section shall be subject to the requirements of this act and the jurisdiction of the board as if he were licensed to practice dentistry or dental hygiene under this act. (k) The board shall adopt rules to administer and enforce this section.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 33-15-132 Immunity from personal liability.

(a) Members, agents and employees of the board and any person reporting information to the board under oath shall be immune from personal liability with respect to acts done and actions taken in good faith without fraud or malice. (b) The immunity provided by this section shall extend to the members of any professional review committee, investigators and witnesses appearing before the board.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 33-15-133 Temporary educator’s license.

(a) A temporary license may be issued to any dentist or dental hygienist who has applied for licensure and who exhibits good standing in another jurisdiction of the United States or Canada and has qualified for the requirements to be employed as an instructor at a dental hygiene school. (b) The temporary educator’s license shall be valid only until the meeting of the board at which the educator's application for standard licensure is considered. (c) The temporary educator license does not permit the licensee to practice outside of the educational institution at which the licensee is employed as an instructor.
Source: Public.Resource.Org WY StatutesURL: https://unicourt.github.io/cic-code-wy/transforms/wy/ocwy/r78/gov.wy.code.title.33.htmlFetched: 6/28/2026

Starting a business in Wyoming? Wyoming LLC guide: costs and requirements