DDH Compact Active, What’s Next?

DDH Compact Implementation Timeline

On April 22, 2024, the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact (DDH Compact) was enacted in its seventh state. The compact legislation specifies that it will come into effect upon enactment of its seventh state. See the DDH Compact Map for an updated list of participating states. Although the compact has been enacted by seven states, applications for compact privileges are not yet available. Below is a timeline of implementation activities that must take place before the compact can be used by dentists and dental hygienists. The compact will not be fully operational for an estimated 18-24 months.    

April 22, 2024 – DDH Compact enacted in 7th state.

The DDH Compact legislation specifies it is effective upon the enactment of the 7th state.

Summer 2024 – Formation of Compact Commission

Each member state must appoint a one representative to serve on the compact commission. The commissioner is selected by the state’s dental licensing board. The compact specifies that the commissioner must be a representative of the state licensing board.

Fall 2024 – Inaugural Commission Meeting

The state commissioners will convene for the inaugural meeting of the DDH Compact Commission where they will elect an executive committee, vote on initial rules and bylaws, and take other steps for the compact to move towards being fully operational. Commission meetings will be open to the public.

2025 Ongoing – Creation of Compact Data System

The compact commission will continue to work on operationalizing the compact by acquiring a data system. The data system is a foundational piece of compact operations. Compact member states communicate licensure and compact privilege information via the data system. It is expected that the data system process will take 10-12 months. Once the data system is available, states will be tasked with onboarding to the system. States will have varying timelines to onboard.

2025 Ongoing – Additional Commission Meetings

The compact commission will hold commission meetings throughout 2025 for additional rulemaking. The commission will also hire staff, develop a budget, approve a fee structure, select a secretariat organization and take additional steps for the compact to be fully operational.

Privilege Applications Open

Once the data system is up and running and an application process is established, the compact commission will open applications for compact privileges to dentists and dental hygienists.

The application process will involve verifying the dental professional has a qualifying license and is eligible for compact participation. Once the application has been reviewed, the applicant will receive confirmation that they have been issued compact privileges in the member state(s) they selected. After a privilege is issued, the dentist or dental hygienist can practice in those member states in which they hold a privilege.

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