447.12 County and district dental societies.

(1) The dentists of any county who are licensed to practice dentistry under this chapter, provided there are at least 5 in the county, may organize a county dental society as a component of the Wisconsin Dental Association. When so organized it shall be a body corporate, and shall be designated as the dental society of the county, and shall have the general powers of a corporation and may take by purchase or gift and hold real and personal property. County dental societies now existing are continued with the powers and privileges conferred by this chapter. A county or district dental society that was in existence but unincorporated on September 29, 1963, is not required to incorporate unless that is the express wish of the majority of its members.

(2) Persons who hold the degree of doctor of dental surgery, or its equivalent, and any other persons who have been licensed by the examining board to practice dentistry in this state, shall be eligible to meet for the organization of or to become members of a county dental society.

(3) If there are not a sufficient number of dentists in a given county to form a dental society under sub. (1), those residing in the county may unite with those of adjoining counties and organize a multicounty or district dental society as a component of the Wisconsin Dental Association. The organizational meeting shall be held at the time and place agreed upon in writing by a majority of those eligible to belong.

(4) A county or district dental society may adopt, alter and enforce articles and bylaws, or a constitution and bylaws for the admission and expulsion of members, the election of officers and the management of its affairs, but no instrument or action on the part of the society is valid if it is inconsistent with the articles, bylaws or policies of the Wisconsin Dental Association, or if it violates the autonomy of any other component of the Wisconsin Dental Association. Any county or district dental society which incorporates after September 29, 1963, shall file its articles as provided in ch. 181.

History: 1989 a. 349.