A bill that aims to help recruit new faculty to the Dental College of Georgia (DCG) -- and the state -- unanimously passed the state's committee on higher education on March 20.
House Bill 322 would allow dentists from other states, countries, and territories to apply to the Georgia Board of Dentistry for an instructor's license that would permit them to teach at accredited educational programs, according to Jagwire, Augusta University's news outlet.
"House Bill 322 would allow the Dental College of Georgia the ability to increase options for hiring faculty to educate and train the next generation of dentists for the state of Georgia,” Dr. Nancy Young, dean of the DCG, said in the article. "The bill allows options, better options at least, for those trained outside the United States to work as clinical faculty. This is covering students in a clinical setting. Considering the competition with private practice and the limits on faculty pay, it creates an additional recruitment tool for us.”
The bill was unanimously approved by the state senate's committee on higher education. Next, it goes to the rules committee for review.
HB 322 would not only expand hiring options for educational institutions, but it would help educate future dentists while expanding oral healthcare access throughout Georgia. The proposed bill would not negatively impact hiring standards, Young said, citing that other states have adopted similar laws that expand hiring options for their dental schools.
