What states could be impacted next by the dental compact?

With 10 of the 50 U.S. states now part of the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, the question is which states could join them next.

On April 22, Maine Gov. Janet Mills signed LD 2137, which enabled the state to join the compact, into law. Maine joined Washington, Iowa, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Kansas. Maine's addition to the compact was big, as it allowed the seven-state minimum threshold to be crossed, allowing the compact to come into effect.

The compact has been praised by the ADA and the American Dental Hygienists' Association as a way to reduce some of the staffing issues in dental practices. Additionally, the ADA noted that the U.S. Department of Defense has been a key player in making the compact a reality, providing grants to "address license portability affecting transitioning military spouses."

As Tracee Dahm, RDH, pointed out in this article, "A compact license is a privilege granted to any individual who holds a license to practice a skill in one state in other states bound within that compact." While compacts have been available in other industries, this is the first time it has been a possibility in dentistry.

However, as Dahm pointed out "... the National Center for Interstate Compacts is estimating that a dental professional compact license will not be available for 12 to 18 months."

According to DDHCompact.org, legislation has recently been passed in Colorado, Ohio, and Minnesota, bringing the total number of states to 10. It is also monitoring legislation in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, which could soon join the compact as well.

If those two states join, the total number would increase to 12 -- a good start along the path that would help numerous dental professionals play a key role in ensuring patient care is presented throughout the country at the highest possible level.