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Bill

HB 322

Ga. Board of Dentistry; issuance of a dental or dental hygiene license for the sole purpose of teaching in an accredited dental, dental hygiene school, or academic medical center; revise provisions

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Katie Dempsey and 5 co-sponsors

Georgia authorizes special dental licenses for educators at dental schools and academic centers, reducing regulatory barriers for teaching-focused practitioners without clinical practice obligations.

Effective Date
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Bill Summary · HB 322

Legislative bill overview

HB 322 allows Georgia's Board of Dentistry to issue special licenses for dentists and dental hygienists whose sole purpose is teaching in accredited dental schools, dental hygiene programs, or academic medical centers. This creates a distinct licensing category separate from traditional practice licenses, streamlining credentialing for academic educators.

Why is this important

Dental schools and academic programs often recruit experienced practitioners to teach, but traditional licensing requirements may create unnecessary barriers or administrative burdens for educators who don't practice clinically. This bill reduces regulatory friction while maintaining quality control through the Board's oversight, potentially making Georgia more attractive for dental education recruitment and improving teaching capacity in health professions training.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition clarity: The phrase "sole purpose of teaching" may create ambiguity about whether licensees can conduct any clinical work, research, or demonstrations, potentially leading to enforcement disputes
  • Regulatory standards: Special teaching licenses might have different continuing education or competency requirements than standard licenses, raising questions about whether educational standards are equivalent
  • Scope limitations: The restriction to accredited institutions only may exclude emerging dental education models or partnerships, limiting flexibility in how dental knowledge is transmitted

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

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