Increased flexibility, mobility and efficiency are three of the biggest benefits that dental professionals and organizations can expect from the Dentist and Hygienist Compact.
The interstate compact allows dentists and dental hygienists to practice across member states without needing to obtain a new license for each state they wish to practice in, expanding access to dental care by allowing providers to practice in areas of need.
The Council of State Governments, the National Center for Interstate Compacts and the Department of Defense developed the compact.
So far, 12 states have enacted legislation to join the compact, with a dozen more having introduced bills to enter. The compact was activated once seven states joined, and the commission is now working through the behind-the-scenes aspects.
Andrew Smith, CEO of the Association of Dental Support Organizations, recently connected with Becker’s to share how dentists, dental hygienists and dental groups can best utilize the compact once privileges are issued toward the end of 2025.
Note: Responses were lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: How will the DDH compact improve the dental industry?
AS: We believe that this compact, once it’s actually working and moving, will be getting the clinicians to where the patients are. Our point of view, ADA’s point of view and the ADHA’s point of view is that it’s really going to deliver more patient care. More importantly, it is really supporting the modern practice of dentistry. Thirty years ago, you came out of dental school, you go work for a solo practitioner and you’re going to be in those four walls. That’s not how it happens today. The cost of dental school is highly expensive, so more and more dentists are not staying in just one place. The compact not only develops that access to care, but it really is supporting the profession of dentistry to make sure that the dentists are able to go where they have more freedom and more flexibility.
Q: What are the key benefits of the compact for the dental professionals?
AS: It also reduces costs for dentists and hygienists. The other compact only allows for the ADEX exam, while our DDH compact allows for other types of exams. That’s another important piece of this, is that it preserves state sovereignty, while giving more options and pathways for folks to come in, so it’s not as closed off or difficult, and it’s definitely more cost effective from an application point of view. The state determines what type of exam they believe is best for their communities. So it gives that flexibility to the states on what they believe should be administered.
Q: How will the compact help with staffing shortages in dentistry?
AS: Under this compact it would make it easier, quicker and cheaper to get dental professionals to where they’re needed. From the DSO perspective, we’re constantly looking at opportunities of where the patients are and where there are opportunities.This compact allows us to move that workforce, if the professional wants to do that, into those areas. Especially when you think about the most vulnerable populations, such as the Medicaid communities, that’s a tough community to service for a lot of reasons. It is typically more difficult for them to get to appointments and they’re usually in need of more care. This compact would allow more dentists to see Medicaid patients because there’s more of them to see that population, as opposed to less.
Q: Have there been any questions or concerns that have come up during the process?
AS: Some state dental associations have had concerns, which is not unique to dentistry. I think in some instances, dentists who have been in their four walls for the past 30 years, they might see this as competition. We’ve seen some state dental associations push back and have concerns about that, but we haven’t seen a ton. There are a few states that have shown lukewarm interests and might be neutral, although the national ADA believes it’s very important. On the hygiene side, I’ve not heard of much pushback from within other hygienists.