Representative John Fairbairn, sponsor of House Bill 49-35, described the proposal as "the dentist and dental hygienist compact" and said it was developed with partners including the Council of State Governments and the American Dental Association to "significantly increase the mobility of licensed dentists and dental hygienists." He said the compact would create reciprocity among participating states while preserving state sovereignty.

Sandy Sutton, president of the Michigan Dental Hygiene Association, told the committee the compact is enacted in 12 states and "would help to permit licensure portability for dentists and dental hygienists." Sutton said the compact "enables licensed dentists and dental hygienists to practice in all states participating in the compact as opposed to getting a separate license, taking additional board exams in each state, and maintaining additional continuing education requirements."

Committee members asked how the compact could affect dental 'deserts' such as the Upper Peninsula and whether it would bring additional providers from neighboring states. Representative Preston asked whether the compact could leverage participating states such as Wisconsin to increase care in the U.P.; Fairbairn said it "would help address that." Representative Carter asked whether increased competition could raise costs for low-income and rural communities; Fairbairn said he expected competition would help lower prices and offered to look into fiscal effects. Members requested estimates of how many practitioners might be able to practice in Michigan under the compact; sponsors said that data was "not specified" at the hearing but could be researched.

Supporters' written cards were noted (Bill Sullivan, Michigan Dental Association). No committee vote on the compact occurred at the hearing.