Oklahoma officially decided it would like people to keep their teeth, as Governor-signed Senate Bill 540 now brings the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact to the state. The law, authored by Brenda Stanley, allows dentists and dental hygienists to more easily work across state lines without drowning in paperwork every time they move. Stanley said the measure is especially important for military families, where spouses in dental careers often have to restart licensing processes every few years thanks to Uncle Sam’s love language, relocation orders.

The new law also hopes to tackle Oklahoma’s shortage of dental hygienists by making it easier for qualified professionals to move in and get to work instead of spending six months faxing forms into the void. Under the agreement, the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry will align licensing standards with the national compact commission, including education, testing, background checks, and continuing education requirements. Representative Erick Harris helped carry the bill through the House, putting Oklahoma on track to become the 13th state in the compact when the law takes effect Nov. 1. Somewhere, a military spouse just unclenched their jaw, which is fitting, because now there may actually be someone available to clean their teeth.