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HB 45

Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Heather Bagnall Tudball and 1 co-sponsor

Maryland would join an interstate compact allowing dentists and hygienists to practice across state lines with mutual license recognition, increasing access but raising competition and regulatory consistency concerns.

Hearing 2/18 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · HB 45

Legislative bill overview

HB 45 would authorize Maryland to enter into an interstate compact allowing dentists and dental hygienists to practice across state lines with a single multistate license. This agreement would establish mutual recognition standards among participating states, streamlining credential verification and licensure reciprocity for dental professionals.

Why is this important

Dental professional shortages, particularly in rural and underserved areas, could be partially addressed by allowing providers to serve patients across state borders more easily. The compact would reduce administrative barriers and potentially increase access to dental care, especially for border communities where patients currently face geographic licensing constraints.

Potential points of contention

  • Competition concerns: In-state dental professionals may worry about increased competition from out-of-state practitioners, potentially affecting local wages and market share
  • Quality and safety standards: Participating states must agree on minimum licensing standards; variations in state requirements could create concerns about inconsistent quality control or consumer protection oversight
  • Interstate enforcement: Determining which state has jurisdiction over professional misconduct, malpractice, and disciplinary actions across state lines may create legal ambiguities and enforcement challenges

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

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