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S 1494

An Act establishing the dentist and dental hygienist compact

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by John Cronin and 3 co-sponsors

Bill creates multi-state licensing compact allowing dentists and hygienists to practice across participating states under unified standards, increasing professional mobility and potential access to dental care.

Accompanied a study order, see S2790
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Bill Summary · S 1494

Legislative bill overview

S 1494 establishes a interstate compact allowing dentists and dental hygienists to be licensed and practice across multiple participating states under unified standards, rather than obtaining separate licenses in each state. The compact creates an administrative body to oversee member states' compliance and credential recognition.

Why is this important

This addresses professional mobility and workforce flexibility in dental care. By reducing licensing barriers, the compact could increase access to dental services in underserved areas and reduce costs for practitioners seeking to work across state lines, while maintaining consumer protection through standardized qualifications.

Potential points of contention

  • Professional autonomy concerns: Some dental boards may resist ceding regulatory authority to a multi-state body, potentially viewing it as reducing state-level oversight
  • Credential standardization: States have varying educational requirements and exam standards; ensuring compatibility without lowering protections requires careful negotiation
  • Telehealth expansion: Interstate compacts typically enable remote practice, which raises questions about whether dental services (particularly hygiene) should be provided virtually and how quality/safety is monitored across borders

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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