In the United States, each state sets its own licensure requirements for dentists and dental hygienists. As a result, many states have different standards and hurdles that prevent dentists and dental hygienists from transferring their credentials from one state to another. Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill making Iowa the first-in-the-nation to adopt the Dentists and Dental Hygienists Licensure Compact. Six other states are currently considering this legislation.

Dean Clark Stanford and Brian Howe, director of clinics, attended the bill signing, and they supported this as an important step for improving access to care for Iowan. The American Dental Association, the Iowa Dental Association, the Iowa Dental Hygienists Association, Delta Dental of Iowa, the Association of Dental Support Organizations, and the University of Iowa Dentistry supported the bill.