DDH Compact Commission holds first meeting
Next meeting to take place in early 2025
The Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact Commission held its initial meeting Aug. 28, marking the first time the states that enacted the compact gathered to organize and discuss the commission.
The compact did not make any final decisions at the inaugural meeting and deferred all actions until at least the next meeting early next year.
Passed by 10 states thus far, the DDH Compact is an interstate licensure agreement that supports license portability by allowing dental professionals to practice in multiple states without needing separate licenses through a “privilege to practice.” The states include Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
The appointed commissioner from each of the ten compact member states attended the Aug. 28 meeting, including a representative from Ohio, whose participation in the compact does not go into effect until Jan. 1, 2025. Stephanie Lotridge, former executive director of the Idaho Board of Dentistry, served as interim chair at the meeting.
At the meeting, attorney Samantha Nance provided several potential draft rules for commissioners’ consideration ahead of the next meeting. These include clarification of the definition of “clinical assessment;” language which outlines the member states’ full control over disciplinary actions and scope of practice within their borders; and language clarifying that practitioners will still need to obtain member state permits around expanded scope or duties.
In discussing the powers of commission officers, commissioners expressed a preference that the vice chair position would serve as chair-elect and ascend to the chair position after completion of their term. They also determined that any immediate past chair would remain an officer and have voting power.
Ms. Nance provided a review of the commission’s governing structure, emphasizing that the commission is limited in its rulemaking authority and may not extend beyond what is directly authorized in the compact.
Attendees also discussed future meetings. At the next meeting, commissioners will likely adopt bylaws and administrative rules, elect officers and discuss the shared data system that participating states must join.
Some options for the compact’s shared data system include the nursing compact’s system, which the Emergency Medical Services Compact purchased and customized for themselves; and Compact Connect, a customizable, open-source data system designed for compacts to customize as needed. Partners of the latter include the Audiology/Speech Language Pathology Compact, the Occupational Therapy Compact and the Counseling Compact.
It is anticipated that once the data system is operational, the compact commission can begin to accept applications for a privilege to practice in compact member states in the Fall of 2025.
For more information on the DDH Compact, visit ddhcompact.org.
