Missouri House advances dental licensure compact to ease cross‑state practice
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Summary
Lawmakers approved perfection and printing of House Bill 18‑47, an interstate dental licensure compact proponents say will ease workforce shortages by allowing licensed dentists and dental hygienists to practice in participating states while leaving Missouri in control of practice standards.
The Missouri House on Feb. 9 advanced House Bill 18‑47, the Missouri Dental and Dental Hygienist Compact, approving the measure for perfection and printing after floor debate.
The bill’s sponsor, identified on the floor as the gentleman from Crawford, said the 31‑page compact has been vetted and previously passed this chamber with large margins. He said the compact “allows dentists and dental hygienists to practice in all states participating in the compact, as opposed to them obtaining and paying for individual license in every state they want to practice in,” and emphasized that “Missouri will control all practice standards in Missouri.”
Members who spoke in support pointed to workforce shortages in rural areas and settings such as correctional facilities. The gentleman from Cole noted the bill includes an exception to allow dentists to work for another medical corporation while serving inmates, addressing an access gap in the Department of Corrections. Other speakers cited prior favorable votes and endorsements from dental organizations.
The House ordered the bill perfected and printed after discussion; the sponsor renewed the motion and the ayes prevailed.
Next steps: the measure proceeds through the formal perfection/printing process before further consideration by the full legislature or the other chamber.