Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Legislation to ease restrictions on dental school faculty to address educator shortages and expand access to care signed by Governor Shapiro

Legislation to ease restrictions on dental school faculty to address educator shortages and expand access to care signed by Governor Shapiro

Rep. Maureen E. Madden    May 6, 2026 | 2:17 PM

In a significant step forward for dental education and patient care, Gov. Josh Shapiro today signed into law House bill 2163, legislation modernizing Pennsylvania’s laws governing dental school faculty.

The bill, introduced by state Rep. Maureen Madden, addresses barriers that have limited many schools’ ability to recruit dental educators.

Pennsylvania is home to three leading dental schools: University of Pittsburgh, the University of Pennsylvania, and Temple University, which collectively train many of the state’s dentists. Despite this, outdated restrictions have placed these institutions at a disadvantage by limiting where and how long highly skilled faculty with out-of-state or international credentials can practice and demonstrate advanced techniques, according to Madden.

House bill 2163 expands opportunities for dentists with restricted faculty licenses by allowing them to practice in dental school buildings, as well as in clinical facilities owned and operated by a dental school or affiliated nonprofit academic healthcare centers.

“Pennsylvania’s dental schools are at the forefront of innovation and training, but outdated rules have made it harder for them to bring in world-class faculty and educators,” Madden said. “This legislation ensures we remain competitive with neighboring states while strengthening both education and patient care.”

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CONTACT: Molly Peters
House Democratic Communications Office
Phone: 717-787-7895
Email: mpeters@pahouse.net
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