The Interstate Dental and Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact
The Interstate Dental and Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact
About the IDDHL Compact
The Interstate Dental and Dental Hygiene Licensure (IDDHL) Compact is a solution that preserves state authority, maintains rigorous testing requirements, and enables qualified dental professionals to practice in multiple states without compromising patient safety. The compact was developed as a superior alternative to competing licensure models that threatened to undermine state authority and lower professional standards.
10 to 1 Public Relations specializes in strategic communications for complex regulatory and policy initiatives. For the IDDHL Compact campaign, we leveraged our public affairs expertise to deliver exceptional results through strategic messaging, targeted media outreach, and coordinated advocacy across multiple states.
10 to 1 Public Relations has the depth and breadth of experience you need to define, plan, and execute strategic communications that reach and exceed your goals.
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Championing Excellence in Dental Licensure: The IDDHL Compact Campaign
Our Goals.
- Generate awareness among state legislators about the Interstate Dental & Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact
- Build support for the IDDHL Compact’s adoption in target states
- Educate key stakeholders about the IDDHL Compact’s benefits compared to the competing CSG compact
- Develop comprehensive messaging that resonates with multiple stakeholder audiences
- Secure positive media coverage of the IDDHL Compact in at least 8 target states
Strategic Approach.
We implemented a comprehensive strategy that positioned the IDDHL Compact as the superior solution:
- Data-Driven Messaging:Â Partnered with a polling firm to conduct a national survey of 1,863 registered voters
- Targeted State Campaigns:Â Developed customized messaging for each target state legislature
- Multi-Audience Communication:Â Created distinct messaging for policy leaders, industry stakeholders, dental service organizations, and patients
- Media Relations:Â Placed strategic op-eds, byline articles, and secured interviews in influential publications
- Spokesperson Preparation:Â Conducted virtual training sessions to prepare advocates for legislative hearings
- Competitive Positioning:Â Developed clear comparative messaging highlighting advantages over the competing compact
What We Did.
- Conducted a national poll revealing 82% of Americans want dentists to demonstrate practical skills before licensing
- Created comprehensive messaging templates tailored to each target state’s specific concerns
- Distributed press releases announcing compact milestones, including bill introductions and committee passages
- Placed op-eds and letters to the editor in key state publications to build public support
- Authored byline articles for dental industry publications positioning compact advocates as experts
- Secured interviews with top dental industry outlets establishing IDDHL representatives as authorities
- Conducted virtual spokesperson training sessions including role-playing exercises and message refinement
- Created talking points highlighting the IDDHL Compact’s advantages over the competing CSG compact
- Monitored trending topics in target states to adapt messaging for maximum relevance
- Coordinated regularly with on-the-ground lobbyists to ensure consistent messaging
Results and Impact.
- Louisiana became the first state to adopt the IDDHL Compact
- Mississippi passed the compact through both legislative chambers
- Oklahoma passed the compact through the House
- Active consideration initiated in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts
- Compact legislation introduced in Texas, Missouri, Kentucky, and Maryland
- Generated 14 total media placements across 9 target states
- Secured coverage in influential industry publications reaching thousands of dental professionals
- Successfully stalled the competing CSG compact, which despite being introduced in 18 states, only passed in two
- Established the IDDHL Compact as the authoritative model for dental licensure standards
- Created compelling data points showing 82% of Americans support hands-on testing requirements
- Demonstrated that 57.1% of Americans oppose removing practical skills testing for dentists
Key Takeaways.
- Data-driven messaging significantly enhances credibility with legislators and stakeholders
- Coordinated advocacy across multiple states requires consistent yet customized messaging
- Industry media coverage proves particularly influential in shaping professional opinion
- Clear comparative messaging effectively counters competing initiatives
- Regular coordination with on-the-ground advocates ensures message consistency
- Public opinion strongly supports maintaining high professional standards in healthcare licensing
- Strategic timing aligned with legislative calendars maximizes impact of advocacy efforts
See the Stories.
- Becker’s Dental:Â Patients Against Lowering Dental Licensing Standards: Survey
- AZ Capitol Times:Â Arizona’s Dental Health at Risk: The Hidden Costs of HB 2190
- Becker’s Dental:Â 7 States Introduce Legislation to Join AADB Dental Compact
- The Texas Insider: The Battle Over Your Dentist’s License (And Why It Matters to Your Smile)
- Union Leader:Â SB 187 Is a Dangerous Step Backward for NH Dental Care
- Becker’s Dental:Â The Differences Between the 2 Interstate Dental Compacts
- The Center Square:Â Pennsylvania Legislators Weigh Bill to Join Interstate Dental Licensure Compact
- Becker’s Dental:Â Louisiana Becomes 1st State to Enter AADB-Backed Interstate Dental Compact
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