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Debate sharpens over bill to license foreign-trained dentists in Michigan
Summary
A proposed law that would let the Michigan Board of Dentistry license dentists educated abroad drew strong opposition from a longtime Michigan dentist who warned it could admit practitioners without adequate hands-on testing, while supporters said it would ease shortages in rural and underserved areas.
LANSING — Testimony before the Michigan House Health Policy Committee on House Bill 49-21 split sharply over whether the state should broaden pathways for dentists educated outside the United States to obtain Michigan licensure.
Josh, staff for Representative Jenkins Arnaud, told the committee the bill would modernize dental licensure "while maintaining strong safety standards," authorizing the Board of Dentistry to grant licenses when an applicant's education is judged "substantially equivalent" and when applicants pass required licensure examinations. He said the change would expand access to dental care in rural and low-access communities and help address workforce…
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