AB 666

This bill ratifies and enters Wisconsin into the Dentist and Dental Hygienist

Compact, which provides for the ability of a dentist or dental hygienist to become

eligible to practice in other compact states. Significant provisions of the compact

include the following:

1. The creation of a Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact Commission, which

includes one member or administrator of the licensure boards of each member state.

The commission has various powers and duties granted in the compact, including

adopting bylaws, promulgating binding rules for the compact, hiring employees,

electing or appointing officers, and appointing committees. The commission may

levy on and collect an annual assessment from each member state or impose fees on

licensees of participating states when a compact privilege is granted to cover the cost

of the operations and activities of the commission and its staff.

2. The ability for a dentist or dental hygienist to obtain a “compact privilege,”

which allows a dentist or dental hygienist to practice in another compact state

(remote state) if he or she satisfies certain criteria. The compact specifies a number

of requirements in order for a dentist or dental hygienist to exercise a compact

privilege, including holding a license in a home state, not having any encumbrances

against a license, and paying any fees and meeting any jurisprudence requirements

that may be imposed by a remote state. A dentist or dental hygienist practicing in

a remote state under a compact privilege functions within the scope of practice

authorized by the remote state for licensees in that state and is subject to that state's

regulatory authority. A remote state may, in accordance with that state's laws,

revoke or remove a dentist's or dental hygienist's compact privilege in the remote

state for a specific period of time, impose fines, and take any other necessary actions

to protect the health and safety of its citizens. If a dentist's or dental hygienist's

license is encumbered, he or she loses the compact privilege in all remote states until

the license is no longer encumbered and again meets the requirements for a compact

privilege. If a dentist's or dental hygienist's compact privilege to practice in a remote

state is removed, he or she loses the compact privilege in any remote state and is not

eligible for a compact privilege in any remote state until the license is no longer

encumbered.

3. The ability of member states to issue subpoenas that are enforceable in other

states.

4. The creation of a coordinated database and reporting system containing

licensure and disciplinary action information on dentists and dental hygienists. A

member state must submit a uniform data set to the data system on all individuals

to whom the compact is applicable as required by the rules of the commission.

5. Provisions regarding resolutions of disputes between member states and

between member and nonmember states, including a process for termination of a

state's membership in the compact if the state defaults on its obligations under the