Board of Dental Examiners backs bill to expand dental workforce roles and volunteer licenses

Senate Bill 2217 drew largely supportive testimony as the North Dakota State Board of Dental Examiners described statutory changes intended to address workforce shortages, clarify board processes and create new registration and licensure pathways for dental assistants and hygienists.

Senator Sean Cleary, sponsor of SB 2217, told the Senate Workforce Committee the bill’s aims include workforce development, expanded scopes for dental assistants and hygienists, new licensure pathways, streamlined licensing processes and broader volunteer opportunities.

David Shibley, executive director of the State Board of Dental Examiners, told the committee the board spent roughly two years reviewing statutes and rules with national and local partners, licensees and educators, and then changed rules effective Oct. 1 to ease workforce constraints. The bill would codify and…