A new bill introduced in Pennsylvania seeks to address the state’s growing dental workforce shortage while upholding critical safety standards through practical licensing requirements. House Bill 787, backed by the American Association of Dental Boards (AADB), would enter Pennsylvania into the Interstate Dental & Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact, easing cross-state licensing for qualified dental professionals.
Sponsored by Rep. Robert Merski (D-Erie), the legislation comes in response to a 7% decline in dentists per capita in Pennsylvania from 2001 to 2021. The bill aims to streamline licensing for dental professionals from participating states, provided they meet high standards—including hands-on skills testing.
A national survey of 1,863 voters conducted in early 2025 found that 82% of Americans believe dental hand skills examinations are essential to ensure a dentist’s ability to perform procedures safely. These findings underscore public support for licensing measures that prioritize patient safety.
Dr. John Erhard III, former chair of the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry, emphasized the importance of independent hand skills exams, citing a direct correlation between such tests and reduced malpractice cases. “States that skip hand skills exams see twice as many malpractice incidents,” Erhard noted, adding that mastering dental procedures requires precision, coordination, and the ability to operate effectively in restricted conditions.
Under the AADB Compact, dental professionals would still be licensed by their home states, but could apply for licensure in other member states through a streamlined process. Only dental professionals from states without hand skills requirements would need to retake exams—unless they have at least five years of incident-free practice, in which case they may qualify by credentials.
Erhard also noted the compact’s benefits for military families, whose frequent relocations often disrupt professional licensure continuity.
House Bill 787 differs significantly from Senate Bill 81, introduced by Sen. Frank Farry (R-Langhorne), which proposes Pennsylvania join the DDH Compact. Critics argue that the DDH Compact allows broader rule-making authority, reduces state oversight, and omits critical safeguards like mandatory hand skills exams and shared disciplinary actions.
In contrast, the AADB Compact maintains state authority, prohibits federal override of state law, mandates the sharing of disciplinary records, and requires practical exams for licensure. It also ensures commissioners are nominated by participating states, not appointed independently.
Currently, seven states—including Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Maryland—have similar legislation pending. Meanwhile, states like Iowa, Wisconsin, and Tennessee have already enacted the less rigorous DDH Compact.
House Bill 787 has been referred to the House Professional Licensure Committee, while Senate Bill 81 remains under review by the Senate Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure Committee.
