SPONSOR: Coleman
Currently, the Missouri Dental Board can grant without an examination a certificate of registration and a license to a dentist or a dental hygienist who has been licensed in another state if the Board is satisfied that the applicant's qualifications are equivalent to or higher than requirements in Missouri. A dentist must have been licensed for five consecutive years immediately preceding his or her application and a dental hygienist must have been licensed for two consecutive years immediately preceding his or her application.
The Missouri Dental Board can by rule require the applicant to take any examination over Missouri laws that is given to dentists or dental hygienists in Missouri when he or she applies for licensure. If the applicant's licensure in any state was ever denied, revoked, or suspended for incompetency or inability to practice in a safe manner, the Dental Board can require that the applicant take a practical examination. The Dental Board can also require the applicant take a practical examination if he or she has failed any practical examination given as a prerequisite to licensure as a dentist in any state.
The bill repeals outdated license reciprocity language and replaces it with new language in accordance with Statute 324.009, RSMo.
This bill also creates the "Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact". Dentists and dental hygienists licensed in a state that are participating in the Interstate Compact can practice in other participating states without additional requirements. The bill also enhances the ability of participating states to protect the public health and safety and cooperate in regulating the practice of dentistry and dental hygiene.
The bill specifies the conditions for a state to join and continue as a participating state, such as enacting a compact that is not materially different from the model compact, implementing a criminal background check requirement, accepting certain examinations and accreditations, and paying a participation fee to the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact Commission.
The bill also defines the qualifications and obligations of a licensee who seeks to obtain and exercise a compact privilege in a remote state, such as having a qualifying license, meeting any jurisprudence requirement, reporting any adverse action, and complying with the scope of practice of the remote state. The bill establishes the "Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact Commission", composed of one commissioner from each participating state, to administer and enforce the Compact. The Commission will have the power to adopt rules and bylaws, maintain a data system, charge fees, conduct investigations, take disciplinary actions, issue subpoenas, and initiate legal proceedings. The bill also outlines the procedures and standards for the Commission's meetings, financial review, executive board, and annual report.
This bill is the same as HB 2075 (2024).
Statutes affected: