Indiana House Bill 1254 | Expanding Access to Dental Care

Indiana recently passed House Bill 1254, which creates a new pathway for foreign-trained dentists to become licensed dental hygienists in Indiana without having to complete a U.S. dental hygiene degree. The law takes effect July 1, 2026 and is designed to help address the ongoing shortage of dental hygienists across the state.

Under the new law, internationally trained dentists are not automatically licensed. They must still:

Have their dental education evaluated and approved.
Demonstrate English proficiency when required.
Pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE).
Pass a regional clinical licensing examination.
Meet all Indiana licensing and background check requirements established by the State Board of Dentistry.

This creates a much more practical career pathway for highly educated dental professionals who have already completed dental school abroad but previously had few options other than repeating years of education in the United States.

Why LADD Dental Group is excited for their patients

For practices like LADD Dental Group, this legislation is about one thing: improving access to care for families throughout North Central Indiana.

The dental industry has faced a significant shortage of hygienists over the past several years, making it more difficult for many patients to schedule preventive care appointments. By opening the profession to qualified internationally trained dentists, Indiana is expanding the pool of talented clinicians who can provide preventive dental care.

For LADD Dental Group patients, that could mean:

More appointment availability for cleanings and preventive care.
Reduced wait times for new and existing patients.
Greater continuity of care for families.
More opportunities to serve rural and underserved communities throughout North Central Indiana.
Access to highly educated clinicians with extensive dental knowledge and clinical experience.

Importantly, patient safety remains a priority. Every applicant must satisfy Indiana's licensing standards before they can practice as a hygienist.

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