Several states have either passed or are considering legislation to help alleviate dental workforce shortages.
Six updates to know:
1. Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill requiring that at least 80% of students accepted into the University of Iowa dental and medical schools have ties to the state.
2. The Louisiana legislature voted to enter the state into the Interstate Dental & Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact.
3. The Illinois Senate is considering a bill that would provide dental students with a temporary license.
4. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signed a bill into law that allows dental assistants to practice as oral preventive assistants.
5. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a bill that enters the state into the Dentist and Dental Hygienists Compact.
6. Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen signed LB 148 into law, inducting the state into the Interstate Dentist and Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact.
Source: How states are tackling dental workforce shortages / Becker’s Dental
What about dental therapists who have been demonstrated to be safe, high quality and cost effective. They are supervised by a licensed dentist and receive 3 academic years of dental education as compared to 4 years of a dentist to perform 15% of the services. They must pass a board administered by your state dental board.