SS/SB 778 - This act establishes provisions relating to licensure of dentists and dental hygienists, including license reciprocity and the Dental and Dental Hygienist Compact. RECIPROCITY FOR LICENSED DENTISTS AND DENTAL HYGIENISTS (SECTIONS 332.211 & 332.281) Current law provides that the Missouri Dental Board ("Board") shall grant without examination a license to a dentist who has been licensed in another state for at least five consecutive years immediately preceding the application for licensure in this state if the Board is satisfied that the qualifications are at least equivalent to the Missouri licensure requirements. Additionally, current law provides that the Board shall grant without examination a license to a dental hygienist who has been licensed in another state for at least two consecutive years immediately preceding the application for licensure in this state if the Board is satisfied that the qualifications are at least equivalent to the Missouri licensure requirements. This act repeals this provision and provides the Board shall waive, within six months, any examination, educational, or experience requirements for licensure to any person who holds a valid current dentist, dental specialist, or dental hygienist license issued by another state or territory of the United States or a branch or unit of the Armed Forces of the United States for at least one year if it determines that the person met the minimum requirements of the other state. The Board may require an applicant to take and pass an examination specific to Missouri law. For military spouses with licensure in another state, the Board shall waive such examination, educational, or experience requirements and issue a license within thirty days. The Board shall not waive any examination, educational, or experience requirements for any person who has a revoked license, is currently under investigation or disciplinary action, has a complaint pending, does not hold a license in good standing, has a criminal record which would disqualify from licensure in this state, or does not hold a valid current license in the other jurisdiction on the date of receipt by the Board of his or her application. Additionally, any person who is licensed under this act shall be subject to the Board's jurisdiction and all rules and regulations pertaining to the practice of dentistry and dental hygiene. Finally, this act shall not be construed to waive any requirement for fees of licensure. These provisions are substantially similar to provisions in HB 2075 (2024). THE DENTIST AND DENTAL HYGIENIST COMPACT (SECTION 332.700) This act establishes the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact ("Compact"), which facilitates the interstate practice of dentistry and dental hygiene and provides for dentists and dental hygienists licensed in a participating state the ability to practice in other participating states. The Compact sets forth the requirements to be met in order for a state to join and the requirements for a dentist or dental hygienist to obtain and exercise the ability to practice in other participating states. The Compact further provides that a dentist or dental hygienist with compact privilege shall function within the scope of practice authorized by the participating state in which they seek to practice and shall be subject to that state's regulatory authority. A dentist or dental hygienist whose privilege in a participating state is encumbered or removed is not eligible for compact privilege in other participating states until the encumbrance or removal has passed and all requirements are met. Additionally, the Compact creates a joint government agency ("Commission") and provides for its powers and duties, including the development and maintenance of a coordinated database and reporting system containing licensure, adverse actions, and investigative information on all licensees and applicants. Furthermore, the Compact shall come into effect on the date in which the seventh state enacts the Compact into law. Any participating state may withdraw from the Compact by repealing the Compact, but such withdrawal shall not take effect until 180 days after the enactment of the repeal. Finally, the Compact shall be binding upon participating states and shall supersede any conflict with state law. This provision is substantially similar to provisions in HB 2075 (2024). KATIE O'BRIEN