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Minutes for HB2453 - Committee on Health and Human Services
Short Title
Enacting the dentist and dental hygienist compact to provide interstate practice privileges for dentists and dental hygienists.
Minutes Content for Wed, Mar 15, 2023
Scott Abbott, Revisor of Statutes, provided an overview of HB2453.
Mr. Abbott responded to questions form the committee.
Matt Shafer on behalf of The Council of State Governments (CSG) provided information regarding HB2453 (Attachment 1). Mr. Shafer began by providing background on the Council of State Governments. For the past 18 months the CSG has been developing the compact language with stakeholders within the American Dental association, American Dental Hygiene Association, state regulatory boards, the dental education community and others. The Compact will enable dentists and dental hygienists to get a compact privilege to practice in other states that join the compact rather than get an individual license in every state in which they want to practice. To utilize the compact, an individual must have a license in good standing in a state that is a member of the compact. Practitioners must pass a background check and meet other eligibility requirements related to education and examination. The Compact preserves the regulatory authority of each compact participating state to protect public health and safety through existing state regulatory structures. The Compact also benefits military families who may be reassigned to new duty stations by allowing the service member or spouse to continue to work with their current compact privilege. The compact comes into effect once it is enacted by seven states. The Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact will increase license portability for dental professionals in Kansas, support military families and improve access to oral health for Kansas residents.
Mike O'Neal on behalf of the Association of Dental Support Organizations (ADSO) provided information regarding HB2453 (Attachment 2). ADSO is a national association that supports its member dental support organizations (DSO) to provide business and operational support services to dentists and dental clinics. DSOs register with the Kansas Dental Association as dental office administrative services providers. ADSO has a particular focus on access to dental care and removing statutory and regulatory barriers to dental care access. Kansas is currently ranked 39th in access to dental care. There are currently 24 counties that are underserved in the state. Mr. O'Neal noted that attached to his testimony is a summary of the Compact provided by the Council of State Governments.
Mr. O'Neal responded to questions from the committee.
Kevin Robertson, Executive Director, Kansas Dental Association (KDA), provided information regarding HB2453 (Attachment 3). Mr. Robertson noted that the KDA is in support of the Compact but would like to take time to meet with the Kansas Dental Board and other stakeholders during the interim with the goal of presenting the Compact to the 2024 Legislature. This would allow time to determine what actions would be necessary for implementation.
Mr. Roberson responded to questions from the committee.
Travis Lowe on behalf of the Kansas Dental Hygientists' Association (KDHA) provide information regarding HB2453 (Attachment 4). KDHA has closely followed the work to create the compact. KDHA stands ready to collaborate with stakeholders to ensure the legislation helps address the oral health needs of Kansans and provide an opportunity for registered dental hygienists to serve Kansas.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:08 PM.
