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Bill

SB 765

Dentists and dental hygienists; enacting the Interstate Dental and Dental Hygienist Compact. Effective date.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Todd Gollihare

Oklahoma would join an interstate compact allowing dentists and hygienists to practice across member states under mutual license recognition while maintaining state regulatory authority.

Second Reading referred to Health and Human Services
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Bill Summary · SB 765

Legislative bill overview

SB 765 would enact the Interstate Dental and Dental Hygienist Compact in Oklahoma, creating an agreement that allows dentists and dental hygienists to practice across state lines under a coordinated regulatory framework. This compact establishes mutual recognition of licenses between participating states while maintaining individual state oversight of their respective practitioners.

Why is this important

The compact addresses workforce shortages in dental services by increasing professional mobility and reducing licensing barriers, potentially improving access to dental care in underserved areas. It also affects healthcare professionals seeking to practice in multiple states without obtaining separate licenses in each jurisdiction.

Potential points of contention

  • Regulatory standards harmonization: Questions about whether different states' varying educational requirements and disciplinary standards can be fairly reconciled without lowering professional protections
  • Consumer protection concerns: Debate over whether practitioners licensed in one state should automatically qualify in another if disciplinary histories or training differences exist
  • Economic impact on local practitioners: Concerns that increased interstate competition could affect dental professionals already established in Oklahoma and their business viability

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

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