State lawmakers are addressing a number of challenges facing Texans and the state economy, including many that don’t get the media coverage they deserve, such as the worsening dental care crisis. Simply put, Texas does not have enough dentists and hygienists to meet current needs, let alone rising demand driven by population growth. Fortunately, the Legislature is considering a bipartisan solution that could bring swift relief: joining the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact (DDHC).
Two companion bills filed in the Texas Legislature — Senate Bill 1109 and HB 1803 — would make Texas a member of this compact, enabling licensed dental professionals from other member states to practice in Texas without burdensome delays or redundant licensing hurdles. On March 31, the House Public Health Committee held a hearing on HB 1803, allowing Texans to hear firsthand about the compact’s benefits.
Across the country, this commonsense reform is gaining momentum. States from Arkansas to Virginia have already joined the DDHC, reflecting a bipartisan consensus that mobility and access matter. Texas nearly did the same last session: A bill for Texas to join the DDHC failed by one vote in the House, and didn’t reach a vote in the Senate.
Source: Texas has a dentist shortage. Joining a compact with other states would help | Opinion / MSN