Two interstate dental compacts are gaining steam across the U.S. as states look for new solutions to alleviate workforce shortages.
Here is where the compacts stand as of this year:
Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact
The Dentist and Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact was introduced by the Council of State Governments to improve license portability for dentists and hygienists, allowing dental professionals to practice in all participating states without obtaining a license for each individual state.
States enacted: Washington, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Tennessee, Ohio, Virginia and Maine.
Legislation pending: Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Dental & Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact
The Interstate Dental & Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact is backed by the American Association of Dental Boards as a streamlined pathway for dental professionals to gain licensure in different states while maintaining certain standards. Unlike the DDHC, this compact prohibits regulations that override state law, requires the transfer of disciplinary actions and mandates hand skills exams, among other differences.
States enacted: Louisiana and Mississippi.
Legislation pending: Oklahoma, Missouri, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Massachusetts.
To see a side-by-side comparison of provisions within the two compacts, click here.
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