Texas lawmakers are considering legislation aimed at addressing a growing shortage of dental care providers in the state.
The bill, House Bill 1803, is expected to be reviewed by the Texas House Public Health Committee during a hearing on Monday, March 31. The legislation could make Texas the newest member of the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact (DDHC), a move designed to increase the availability of dental services statewide.
The bill seeks to address a critical shortage of oral health care professionals in Texas, a state that faces significant challenges in meeting its dental care needs. If passed, HB 1803 would allow licensed dentists and dental hygienists from other states that are part of the DDHC to practice in Texas. This change aims to ease the current strain on the state’s dental care system, where access to services is limited.
The need for increased dental care access in Texas is evident. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, fewer than 29% of the state’s oral health care needs are met by its existing supply of dental professionals. The foundation also identified 261 designated dental health shortage areas across Texas, which are home to more than two million residents. These areas are significantly underserved in terms of available dental care providers.
The legislation is part of a broader effort by Texas lawmakers, including Governor Greg Abbott, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, and Speaker Dustin Burrows, to reform occupational licensing requirements in the state. There is a shared desire among state leadership to make it easier for licensed professionals to work in Texas, which has seen rapid population growth in recent years.
While HB 1803 is just one piece of the ongoing conversation about occupational licensing reform, it reflects a growing consensus among Texas leaders that removing barriers to entry for professionals in high-demand fields, such as dental care, can help meet the needs of the state’s expanding population. The bill’s passage would be an important step toward improving access to dental care for millions of Texans.
