The National Dental Association (NDA) has announced its support for the Interstate Dental and Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact (IDDHLC), an initiative designed to simplify the process for dentists and dental hygienists to practice across state lines while maintaining patient safety standards.
The NDA House of Delegates voted to support the compact during its July meeting in Kansas City, recognizing the importance of hands skill examination to validate competency while allowing portability and protecting patients.
“The NDA is proud to support the IDDHLC developed by AADB,” said Dr. Cheryle Baptiste Hill, president of the NDA. “This model upholds the principles of patient protection, professional competency and State Dental Board authority while advancing responsible licensure portability to improve access to care nationwide.”
Developed by the American Association of Dental Boards (AADB), the IDDHLC creates an expedited pathway for dentists and dental hygienists to obtain licenses in multiple states. According to the association, the compact includes provisions requiring graduation from Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)-approved schools and successful completion of the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) licensure examination to ensure professional competency.
“The vote of support from the National Dental Association represents a significant milestone for the IDDHL Compact,” said Arthur Chen-Shu Jee, DMD, president of AADB. “The NDA's support validates our approach to balancing professional mobility with patient safety, and we look forward to working together to improve access to quality dental care across the nation.”
The NDA’s support follows the compact’s growing national momentum. According to the association, Louisiana recently became the first state to join the IDDHLC, with several other states advancing similar legislation.
“There is a fine balance between public protection and license portability. Equally important is that Dental Boards have full and direct jurisdiction over healthcare providers in their specific State of practice. The Interstate Dental and Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact fulfills these requirements,” said Dr. Leslie Grant, NDA past president and current chair of the legislative committee.
According to the association, the compact offers several benefits that align with the NDA’s mission, including enhanced professional mobility for dentists and dental hygienists; maintaining high standards of patient safety through uniform competency requirements; improving access to dental care in underserved communities; cost-effective implementation for participating states; and preservation of state authority over dental licensing.
The NDA, which represents minority dental professionals across the United States, joins a growing coalition of dental organizations supporting the compact as a framework for responsible licensure portability.
More information is available at aadbcompact.org.
