Staffing shortages are one of the most pressing issues to plague dentistry since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
More than four years later, the effects of the pandemic are still felt when it comes to staffing in dental practices. According to a survey from the American Dental Association, more than 85% of respondents said it was "extremely challenging" or "very challenging" to recruit dental hygienists, and more than 70% said the same about dentists.
In response to these challenges, a number of states have formed the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, which allows licensed dentists and dental hygienists to practice across all states participating in the compact with one license.
The compact was created through a partnership between the Council of State Governments, the Department of Defense, the American Dental Association and the American Dental Hygienists' Association.
In April, the compact was officially activated after Maine Gov. Janet Mills signed legislation enabling Maine to become the seventh state to join. Since Maine joined, the governors of Colorado, Minnesota, and Ohio have all signed bills joining the compact.
As of now, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin are that 10 member states of the compact, with legislation pending in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, according to a map from the Council of State Governments.
The compact's commission held its first meeting in August, where commissioners discussed potential rules clarifying "clinical assessment" language, the powers of the commission officers, and options for the data sharing system.
Once the data system is up and running, the commission can start accepting applications for interstate licenses, which is projected for fall 2025.