Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill allowing individuals to obtain a professional license, commercial license, certificate, permit or registration regardless of immigration or citizenship status on March 13.

Sen. Bernie Sanders recently introduced two pieces of legislation that would guarantee paid vacation and establish a 32-hour workweek for U.S. employees.

The Dentist and Dental Hygienist interstate compact has picked up steam and support in the past few months, fueled by dental professional shortages across the country. 

The American Dental Association is showing its support for legislation to assist licensing authorities in states that are part of an interstate compact.

Two bills have been introduced in the Illinois House to fix the long licensing process for healthcare workers, including dentists, according to a March 19 report by The Center Square.

N.E.W. Community Clinic, a dental practice in Green Bay, Wis., is adding dental therapists to its staff to help alleviate its scheduling challenges, according to a March 18 report by NBC26.

The Kansas House of Representatives recently passed a bill that would allow the state to join the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, wibw.com reported March 14. 

The Dental Trade Alliance Foundation is launching a new dental hygienist scholarship program for students from underrepresented backgrounds.

Minnesota legislators are considering a bill that would allow the state to join an interstate compact to alleviate workforce shortages. 

The U.S. House of Representatives approved the Action for Dental Health Act by a vote of 391 to 32.

The Aspen Group partnered with Women Employed and Midwestern Career College to launch an initiative to help low-income women join the dental workforce.

The Florida legislature unanimously passed a bill to update the language in the Dental Practice Act, making it easier to receive a dental license, according to a March 6 report by The Center Square.

Lawmakers in Minnesota have introduced legislation to create a $20 million grant appropriation designated for dental hygiene and dental assisting programs.

Leaders in several states are weighing or have approved changes to how dentistry is practiced, including the authorization of new practitioners.

About 33% of dentist owners plan to retire within six years, according to Dentalpost's 2024 Dental Salary Survey.

California, one of the states with the most dental shortage areas, has more than 30,000 active dentists.

Wyoming, one of the states with the fewest dental shortage areas, has 306 active dentists.

The nationwide lack of dental hygienists is forcing patients in Virginia to have to wait as long as 14 months for a routine cleaning, according to a Feb. 22 report by WWBT.

Dental laboratory technician positions are expected to see -4.5% growth through 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It is the only medical technician position projected to experience negative growth in that span.

Rhode Island dentists are predicting a staffing "superstorm" in the state driven by several factors, The Providence Journal reported Feb. 20.