Missouri legislators are considering joining the interstate Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact.
Five notes:
1. The compact increases license portability across member states for dentists and hygienists, removing the need for dental professionals to gain a license in each individual state.
2. There are 10 states currently in the compact, and 14 other states have pending legislation to join, according to data from The Council of State Governments.
3. Senate Bill 327 would establish the state's participation in the compact, and would go into effect in August.
4. Missouri is already a member of 15 other interstate licensing compacts, Forbes reported Feb. 12.
5. Some legislators have reportedly expressed concerns that the state might cede sovereignty by joining the dental compact, but supporters of the compact have pointed out that the dental compact operates the same as the other compacts the state is a part of.