Terms & Definitions

The Interstate Dental and Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact developed by AADB references the terms and conditions below.

AADB Compact Commission

means the American Association of Dental Boards Dental and Dental Hygiene AADB Compact Compact Commission. Each state shall have two (2) members to form the commission.

AADB composite

An annual publication listing information regarding each state board, contacts, links to statutes and rules, and additional data. Each state shall submit an annual update regarding all dental practice-related licenses and permits available by state and the procedures allowed to be conducted by licensees and permit holders.

Adverse action

An Order issued by a State Dental Board or reported to the AADB clearinghouse pursuant to the compact bylaws and rules. This shall also include a Temporary Emergency Order that may be later withdrawn by a Board.

ADEX examination

The assessments for readiness to practice, commonly referred to as licensure examinations, are developed and administered by the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX).

The AADB Clearinghouse

The AADB Clearinghouse is used by jurisdictions that are Member States. It is a database first created in 1988 when boards began to share information regarding adverse actions of licensees. Now a secure, online portal, this information is accessed by board administrators, executive directors, investigators and others processing licenses and seeking historical information regarding applicants. It does not house general application information. The Clearinghouse currently houses data affiliated with thousands of dental health professionals.

The AADB Licensure Repository

The AADB Licensure Repository is the centralized database for the needs of applicants for Compact Privilege and Member States. Dental professionals will use the Repository to upload required documentation, send application information, and if they choose, permanently house documents for future needs. Member States will access information in the Repository to retrieve/receive information from Dental professionals.

CODA

the Commission on Dental Accreditation or its successor as approved by the United States Department of Education.

Compact

References to Compact shall refer to the American Association of Dental Boards (AADB), dental and dental hygiene compact.

Compact license privilege

The expedited dental or dental hygiene license to practice in a Member State that differs from the licensee’s home state.

Home State

The state of primary licensure. It is the location of the practicing dentist or dental hygienist license where compact privileges originate and the licensee practices at least 25% of the time within a calendar year; The home state can take an action on a licensee regardless of where an action against a licensee occurred.

Regional board examination

Western Regional Dental Board Examination (WREB), the North East Regional Board of Dental Examiners (NERB), the Commission on Dental Competency (CDCA), Council of AADB Compact Testing Agencies (CITA), Southern Regional Testing Agency (SRTA), Central Regional Dental Testing Services (CRDTS)

State jurisprudence

The knowledge of the state laws and rules of dentistry in a jurisdiction where compact privilege is extended.

The Interstate Dental and Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact requires legislation to be passed to become active. Five jurisdictions must approve legislation for activation.

Read the Interstate Dental and Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact here.

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