Ratification of the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact. (FE)

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 compact.

The compact becomes effective in this state upon its enactment in seven states.

The compact provides that it may be amended upon the enactment of an amendment by all member states. A state may withdraw from the compact by repealing the statute authorizing the compact, but the compact provides that a withdrawal does not take effect until 180 days after the effective date of that repeal.