Seven states have recently introduced legislation to join the Instate Dental and Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact created by the American Association of Dental Boards.
The interstate compact aims to streamline dental licensing, alleviate workforce shortages and improve access to oral healthcare, according to a Feb. 20 news release from the AADB.
The IDDHLC is a separate interstate compact from the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact from the Council of State Governments.
Here are the states that have introduced legislation to join the compact, along with where the bills stand in each state:
- Texas: The IDDHLC has been introduced in the Texas House of Representatives as HB 1799.
- Oklahoma: The IDDHLC has been introduced in the Oklahoma Senate as SB 765 and has been referred to the Health and Human Services Committee.
- Missouri: The IDDHLC has been introduced in the Missouri Senate as SB 109 and has been referred to the Emerging Issues and Professional Registration Committee.
- Maryland: The IDDHLC has been introduced in the Maryland House of Representatives as HB0534, cross-filed with SB0538 in the Senate.
- Massachusetts: The IDDHLC has been introduced in the Massachusetts Senate as SD2010, cross-filed with HD3459 in the House of Representatives.
- Mississippi: Mississippi's House of Representatives passed the IDDHLC compact legislation without opposition. The bill, HB 674, has now been transmitted to the Mississippi Senate for consideration.
- Kentucky: HB 762 was introduced to the Kentucky House of Representatives.