House passes bill without opposition, aligns with public support for hands-on skills testing

JACKSON, Miss. (February 28, 2025) — The Mississippi House of Representatives has unanimously passed a bill to preserve hands-on skills testing for dental professionals, reinforcing public safety and ensuring high-quality oral healthcare for residents. This legislation, part of the Interstate Dental & Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact (IDDHLC), now moves to the Senate amid strong public support, as reflected in recent poll results.

A national survey commissioned by the American Association of Dental Boards (AADB) of 1,863 registered U.S. voters, conducted from December 30, 2024, to January 9, 2025, found that 82% of Americans agree hand skills examinations are necessary to assess a dentist’s ability to perform procedures safely. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.28 percentage points.

“The Mississippi House has taken a crucial step in protecting public safety and upholding high licensure standards,” said Hernando resident Dr. Robert Smith, former member of the Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners. “By passing HB 674 without opposition, we move closer to ensuring that every licensed dental professional in our state possesses not only the clinical knowledge but also the practical hand skills to provide the highest level of dental care. This decision reflects our commitment to maintaining public trust in our dental care providers.”

The IDDHLC, if passed by the Senate and signed into law, will maintain current requirements for dentists and dental hygienists to demonstrate their ability to perform procedures in a clinical setting and pass a written test.

Dr. Arthur Chen-Shu Jee, President of the AADB’s Board of Directors, noted the importance of these standards: “The latest poll results confirm patients want to know that their dentists and dental hygienists can actually perform procedures competently and safely. The hand skills test provides that assurance. As we consider changes to licensing, we must remember these vital exams directly impact patient safety and public trust in our profession.”

The unopposed passage of HB 674 in the Mississippi House sets a precedent for other states considering similar legislation. It demonstrates a unified commitment to maintaining rigorous standards in dental licensing while also facilitating professional mobility for qualified practitioners. In the Senate, HB 674 has now been referred to the Public Health and Welfare Committee.