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H 2563

An Act establishing the dentist and dental hygienist compact

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Natalie Higgins and 6 co-sponsors

Bill creates interstate compact allowing dentists and hygienists to practice across member states with single license, improving rural access while reducing licensing bureaucracy.

Accompanied a study order, see H5214
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Bill Summary · H 2563

Legislative bill overview

H 2563 establishes a compact allowing dentists and dental hygienists to practice across state lines within member states through a single license, similar to existing nursing and medical compacts. The bill creates uniform standards and reciprocal licensing agreements to streamline interstate dental practice.

Why is this important

This compact addresses dental professional shortages and access gaps by allowing licensed practitioners to serve patients in multiple states without obtaining separate licenses in each jurisdiction. It particularly affects rural and underserved areas that struggle to attract dental providers, while also reducing administrative burden and costs for mobile practitioners.

Potential points of contention

  • Professional autonomy concerns: State dental boards lose some regulatory control over licensure standards, which could create concerns about maintaining uniform quality and disciplinary oversight across jurisdictions
  • Consumer protection variance: Different states have varying scope-of-practice rules for hygienists and different patient protection mechanisms; a compact must balance uniformity with legitimate state-level patient safety variations
  • Economic impacts on local practices: Some practitioners worry that easier interstate mobility could increase competition in certain markets, potentially affecting small local dental practices

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

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