COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN: Standing Committee on Economic Development
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The bill repeals outdated license reciprocity language and replaces it with new language in accordance with Statute 324.009, RSMo.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).
Statutes affected: