Dental Advocay: Legislative

June 20, 2025:  The Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact

 

New Jersey’s dental workforce shortage is reaching a crisis point—especially among hygienists. If A1896, The Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact doesn’t get voted on in the Assembly now, it could be delayed another 4 months or worse, impacting access to care, putting more pressure on dental practices across the state and leaving us unprepared for the federal government's deprioritization of Oral Health!

Thanks to the leadership of Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (LD-15) and other committed legislators, the bill is finally ready to move in the Assembly. We need your voice now to ensure it gets posted and passed before the summer legislative recess.

This bill would let qualified dentists and hygienists from other states practice in NJ without months of licensing delays, helping address staffing shortages, reduce appointment wait times, prepare NJ for emergencies and keep practices afloat.

Take 2 minutes today to send a message to your legislators. You can use the Live Look Up feature and enter  your home or office address in New Jersey to find your representative.  You can preview and edit the message to your legislators on the next screen after you click "Take Action Now". 

Urge them to vote YES on A1896 and help protect the future of oral health in New Jersey.

 

 

 

 

LEGISLATIVE TRACKER

Every session thousands of new pieces of legislation are introduced in the state Legislature. A multitude of them can affect your practice, your patients and oral health. It's important to take the time to learn about the issues NJDA is addressing in Trenton. Below please find bills currently in the New Jersey legislature that NJDA is monitoring and lobbying.

Key

thumbs up Support
thumbs downOppose
eye iconMonitor

2024-2025 Legislative Session

Click each bill name for more information

 

thumbs up  A1896/S702 - Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact 
      
thumbs up A3972/S2875 - Makes Changes to Calculation of Minimum Loss Ratio Requirements 


thumbs up A1788/S2409 - Permits Specific NJ Depts. To Award Contracts for Medical/Dental Services to Vendors 


thumbs up A3706 - Establishes the office of State Dental Director and the NJ Oral Health Commission


thumbs up A2721/S818 - Establishes Immunity for Physicians and Dentists who Volunteer


thumbs up AR120/SR81 – Urges Amendment of Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement


A3860/S2795 - Establishes certain medical billing requirements concerning specific nature of charges or expenses for health care services

 

thumbs up AR5449 - Proposes to exempt a range of oral healthcare products from New Jersey's sales and use tax

 


SIGNED INTO LAW DURING SESSION

A3861/S2806 - "Louisa Carman Medical Debt Relief Act"

 

BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW DURING THE 2022-2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

 S. 765/A.3246, sponsored by Senators Nellie Pou (Bergen and Passaic) and Joe Pennacchio (Essex, Morris, and Passaic), prohibits carrier from precluding dentist from billing covered person under certain circumstances.  VIEW

This bill passed the Senate on 6/29/22

This bill passed the Assembly on 12/21/23

This bill was signed into law on 1/8/24

NJDA Statement: This legislation, among other things, prohibits dental insurance plans from disallowing the collection of payment for covered dental services when a dentist obtains written informed consent from a patient prior to a procedure being performed. This consumer-focused legislation gives patients information to make their dental health determinations, and ensures that practitioners will be fairly compensated for the care the patient needs and wants.
NJDA Testimony to the Senate Commerce Committee 6/9/22
NJDA Desk Memo To Senators 6/29/22		NJDA TESTIMONY TO THE ASSEMBLY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND INSURANCE COMMITTEE 12/11/23
NJDA Desk Memo to the NJ Assembly 12/21/23		NJDA Letter to the Governor 12/26/23


S.3133/A.4913, sponsored by Senator Gordon Johnson (Bergen), Requires health insurance carriers to reimburse health care providers using check or electronic funds transfer. VIEW

This bill passed the Assembly on 6/30/23

This bill passed the Senate on 12/21/23

This bill was signed into law on 1/8/24

NJDA Statement: The NJDA supports this legislation, which would prohibit the health insurance companies from issuing virtual credit cards for claims payments. This practice has become a growing trend among insurance carriers and third party administrators. While dental offices can process these payments just like it does any other credit card transaction, it has been reported that this form of claims payment regularly carries a higher processing fee than a traditional debit or credit card. It is the NJDA’s position that dental practices should not be paying processing fees for claims payments issued by insurance carriers, particularly when other, no-charge options are available - including ACH payments and traditional paper checks. With the introduction of this legislation, New Jersey adds its name to a growing list of states that have taken action against virtual credit card payment for healthcare claims. The other states include: Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, and Utah.

NJDA Testimony to the Assembly Health Committee 1/12/23
NJDA Desk Memo To Assembly Health Committee 1/12/23		NJDA Testimony to the Assembly Insurance Committee 3/9/23
NJDA Desk Memo To Assembly Insurance Committee 3/9/23		NJDA Testimony to the Senate
Commerce Committee 12/4/2023
NJDA Letter to the Governor 12/26/23		.
VIRTUAL CREDIT CARDS: HOW THEY WORK & TOTAL IMPACT (6 MINUTE INTERVIEW)