A Virginia court has dismissed a lawsuit challenging the state's participation in the interstate Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact.
Six notes:
1. The Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact works to improve dental license portability by allowing dentists and hygienists to practice in all states that are part of the compact with one license instead of having to obtain a different license for each state.
2. There are 10 states currently in the compact, with Virginia becoming the fifth state to join in March.
3. Richard Archer, DDS, the senior associate dean of clinical affairs at Virginia Commonwealth School of Dentistry, and John Harris, DDS, a former member of the Virginia Board of Dentistry, filed the lawsuit in June.
4. The lawsuit alleged that the compact gave state power to a non-state entity and would harm Virginia dentists by allowing dentists from states with different licensing requirements to practice.
5. The court found that although the plaintiffs established standing, the complaint failed to state a cause of action, according to a Dec. 9 news release from the American Dental Association.
6. The Compact Commission held its first meeting in August, and will hold its second meeting in January.