Virginia Becomes Fifth State to Join Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact

On March 8, Virginia became the fifth state to join the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact.

Once enacted by seven states, the compact will create a pathway to licensure portability for dentists and dental hygienists who are licensed in member states. Licensees who live in states that are compact members can apply for a “compact privilege” that will allow them to practice in another member state. Under the model compact that was written by The Council for State Governments, license holders will be granted the opportunity to apply for compact privilege if they do the following:

• Hold a license as a dentist or dental hygienist;
• Graduate from a Commission on Dental Accreditation-accredited program;
• Successfully complete a clinical assessment for licensure, with “clinical assessment” currently defined as an examination or process required for licensure as a dentist or dental hygienist, as applicable, that provides evidence of clinical competence in dentistry or dental hygiene;
• Have passed a National Board Examination of the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations or another examination accepted, by rule, as a requirement for licensure;
• Meet any jurisprudence requirements;
• Complete a criminal background check;
• Submit an application and pay applicable fees; and
• Comply with requirements to submit specified information for administrative purposes.

The compact has also been adopted by Iowa, Tennessee, Washington and Wisconsin. As of March 14, legislation to adopt the compact is active in 12 states.

Tennessee Gov. Signs Bill to Increase Number of Dental Hygienists Safety Net Dentists May Supervise

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) signed legislation that increases the number of dental hygienists that safety net dentists may supervise. The new law will allow a dentist to supervise up to five dental hygienists under general supervision if both the dentist and the dental hygienist work for the state's department of health, a county or metropolitan health department or an entity that participates in the state for the uninsured. Additionally, the bill authorizes a dentist to supervise, under direct supervision, no more than 10 dental hygienists while the dentist and each hygienist provide dental services – on a volunteer basis – through a nonprofit provider of free mobile clinics.