Here are five pieces of legislation being introduced, passed or signed that are impacting the dental staffing industry, as reported by Becker’s since March 26:
Staffing Issues
Two interstate compacts have come into play in recent months as an innovative solution to the dental industry’s workforce shortages. The two compacts have key differences, but some states are considering joining both. Here is where both compacts stand so…
The Iowa House of Representatives has passed a bill that permits dental assistants in the state to work without registering, according to an April 23 report from ABC 9. In order to address the shortage of dental assistants in the…
DSOs have kicked off 2025 with initiatives to bolster staffing and support their practice partners. Dental organizations have placed more emphasis on doctor satisfaction in recent years as competition in the industry heats up and providers become more selective and…
The American Dental Hygienists’ Association and the International Federation of Dental Hygienists are advocating for the delivery of dental hygiene services exclusively by practitioners who meet certain qualifications. The two organizations released a joint statement April 17 stating that hygiene…
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen signed LB 148 into law, inducting the state into the Interstate Dentist and Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact. The interstate compact improves license portability for dentists and dental hygienists, allowing dental professionals to practice in all participating…
Pennsylvania legislators are considering a new bill to join the Interstate Dental & Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact, the Altoona Mirror reported April 16. Five notes: 1. The Interstate Dental & Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact is backed by the American Association…
Recruiting dental hygienists and dental assistants has become slightly less challenging since 2023, but it is still difficult for dentists, according to the American Dental Association. The Economic Outlook and Emerging Issues in Dentistry survey from the first quarter of…
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signed a bill into law that allows dental assistants to practice as oral preventive assistants. Senate Bill 1124 establishes the qualifications needed, which includes dental assistants completing an oral preventive assistant training course with at least…
Wausau, Wis.-based Northcentral Technical College is planning to launch the first dental therapy program in Wisconsin, according to a March 25 report from NBC affiliate WJFW. Future students of the program will work directly out of NTC’s Community Dental Clinic,…