Missouri legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Missouri SB988: Establishes the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact
Status: In committee, February 3, 2026
SCS/SB 988 - 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 the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact Commission ("Commission"), which is a joint government agency of the participating states tasked with administering and implementing the Compact. Each participating state shall have one Commissioner, who shall be selected within sixty days by the licensing authority of the participating state. Additionally, there shall be an Executive Board of the Commission, composed of seven Commissioners, to act on behalf of the Commission. The act provides for the powers and duties of the Commission, including the development and maintenance of a coordinated database and reporting system containing licensure, adverse actions, and investigative information on all licensees and applicants. The Commission may levy on and collect an annual assessment from each participating state and impose fees on licensees for the compact privilege in order to cover the cost of the operations and activities of the Commissio
What the bill says
To amend chapter 332, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to licensure of dentists and dental hygienists. Section A. Chapter 332, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 332.700, to read as follows: 332.700.
From the introduced text:
To amend chapter 332, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to licensure of dentists and dental hygienists. Section A. Chapter 332, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 332.700, to read as follows: 332.700. SECTION 1. TITLE AND PURPOSE This statute shall be known and cited as the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact. The purposes of this Compact are to facilitate the interstate practice of dentistry and dental hygiene and improve public access to dentistry and dental hygiene services by providing Dentists and Dental Hygienists licensed in a Participating State the ability to practice in Participating States in which they are not licensed. The Compact does this by establishing a pathway for Dentists and Dental Hygienists licensed in a Participating State to obtain a Compact Privilege that authorizes them to practice in another Participating State in which they are not licensed. The Compact enables Participating States to protect the public health and safety with respect to the practice of such Dentists and Dental Hygienists, through the State's authority to regulate the SB 988 practice of dentistry and dental hygiene in the State. The Compact: A. Enables Dentists and Dental Hygienists who qualify for a Compact Privilege to practice in other Participating States without satisfying burdensome and duplicative requirements associated with securing …
Sponsors
- Ben Brown (R, 26) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : SCS Voted Do Pass S Emerging Issues and Professional Registration Committee (4727S.02C)
- : Hearing Conducted S Emerging Issues and Professional Registration Committee
- : Second Read and Referred S Emerging Issues and Professional Registration Committee
- : S First Read
- : Prefiled
Common questions
- What is SB988?
- SB988 is a bill in the Missouri Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Establishes the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact.
- What does SB988 do?
- In its own words: To amend chapter 332, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to licensure of dentists and dental hygienists. Section A. Chapter 332, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 332.700, to read as follows: 332.700.
- What is the status of SB988?
- In committee as of February 3, 2026. Latest action: SCS Voted Do Pass S Emerging Issues and Professional Registration Committee (4727S.02C) (February 3, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB988?
- Ben Brown (R, 26).
- Where is the official record for SB988?
- On the Missouri Legislature website: https://www.senate.mo.gov/BillTracking/Bills/BillInformation?year=2026&billid=266
Source: official Missouri record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.