Minnesota legislators are considering a bill that would allow the state to join an interstate compact to alleviate workforce shortages.
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The U.S. House of Representatives approved the Action for Dental Health Act by a vote of 391 to 32.
The Aspen Group partnered with Women Employed and Midwestern Career College to launch an initiative to help low-income women join the dental workforce.
The Florida legislature unanimously passed a bill to update the language in the Dental Practice Act, making it easier to receive a dental license, according to a March 6 report by The Center Square.
Lawmakers in Minnesota have introduced legislation to create a $20 million grant appropriation designated for dental hygiene and dental assisting programs.
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Leaders in several states are weighing or have approved changes to how dentistry is practiced, including the authorization of new practitioners.
About 33% of dentist owners plan to retire within six years, according to Dentalpost's 2024 Dental Salary Survey.
California, one of the states with the most dental shortage areas, has more than 30,000 active dentists.
Wyoming, one of the states with the fewest dental shortage areas, has 306 active dentists.
The nationwide lack of dental hygienists is forcing patients in Virginia to have to wait as long as 14 months for a routine cleaning, according to a Feb. 22 report by WWBT.