Mississippi has become the second state to join the Interstate Dentist & Dental Hygienist licensure compact, following Louisiana's adoption of the measure in 2025. The announcement was made by the American Association of Dental Boards, which developed the compact to give qualified dental professionals a streamlined path to practice across state lines without sacrificing state authority or patient protections.
For clinicians, the compact requires graduation from a Commission on Dental Accreditation-approved program, completion of a criminal background check, and full disclosure of any disciplinary history -- standards that mirror what most states already require. For states, participation in the compact is voluntary and does not impose costs. The expenses are funded by fees paid by professionals seeking compact privileges.
In the video below, the American Association of Dental Boards Executive Director Kimber Cobb discusses what the compact means for practitioners and patients and why this approach is gaining momentum across the country.
Legislation has been introduced in Kentucky, Missouri, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. As the compact grows, supporters say it offers a practical solution to workforce shortages while keeping public protection measures and state oversight firmly in place.
For more information, visit aadbcompact.org.
