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 of Dental Boards as a streamlined pathway for dental professionals to gain licensure in different states while maintaining certain standards.
2. Pennsylvania is also weighing a second compact, the Dentist and Dental Hygienist.
3. Some of the differences between the two compacts are that the AADB-backed compact prohibits regulations that override state law, requires the transfer of disciplinary actions and mandates hand skills exams.
4. Seven other states have legislation pending to join the Interstate Dental & Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact, but none have officially joined.
5. Eleven states have enacted legislation to join the Dentist and Dental Hygienist, which was officially activated in April 2024.
