SPONSOR: Hewkin
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Economic Development by a vote of 13 to 0. Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Rules-Administrative by a vote of 10 to 0.
Currently, a corporation cannot practice dentistry unless the corporation is a nonprofit corporation or a professional corporation. Exemptions exist for hospital nonprofit corporations that provide dental services at facilities owned by a city, county, or other political subdivision of the State. This bill exempts entities contracted with the State to provide care in correctional centers.
The bill repeals outdated license reciprocity language and replaces it with new language in accordance with Statute 324.009, RSMo.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 participate 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 similar to HB 56 (2025) and HB 2075 (2024).
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that the State of Missouri has a workforce shortage and this compact could bring more dentists and dental hygienists to the State. The compact would also allow our own dentists and dental hygienists to work in Missouri and in multiple border states. This could save dentists and dental hygienists money by not having to take additional certification examinations. The compact could also allow dentists and dental hygienists moving from out of the State to Missouri to gain employment more efficiently.
Testifying in person for the bill were Representative Hewkin; Diann Bomkamp, Mo Dental Hygienists Association; Missouri Coalition For Oral Health; Mo Dental Association; and Chris Roepe.
OPPONENTS: Those who oppose the bill say that this could compromise the level of care Missouri patients are receiving. This compact has a low standard for enforcing the rules, regulations, laws, and tracking disciplinary action against dentists and dental hygienists.
Testifying in person against the bill were American Association of Dental Boards.
Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony and witnesses testifying online can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.
Statutes affected: