Dentists favor universal licensure, or some sort of national credential system that would allow them to practice in any U.S. state, much like physicians.

The minority of dentists who are against universal licensure are more likely to live in sunny states – states other dentists may be eyeing to open a dental practice.

Dentists are currently licensed on a state, or regional basis.

Many dentists have scathing criticisms of the existing system: “protectionism at its worst,” “a scam,” “out of touch with the real world.” A New York dentist summed it up: “Licensure by credentials should be the rule.”

There are also dentists who see this as an issue of fair trade.

“I always thought that restraint of trade was against the law,” complained a California orthodontist. Many expressed envy of their medical colleagues. Commented one Virginia dentist, “Physicians can do it, and we, as dentists, have a very low in-office patient mortality rate.”

To hear more of what dentists had to say about universal dental licensure, Click on Play to watch the following video–

Most dentists are tired of being tied down by their dental license, what about you?