Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has signed House Bill 2163, which expands opportunities for dentists to work as faculty members at dental schools. The new law allows dentists holding a restricted faculty license to practice at clinical facilities owned and operated by dental schools or affiliated nonprofit academic health care centers.

What the restricted faculty license enables

The restricted faculty license creates a new pathway for dentists to contribute to dental education while maintaining clinical practice privileges. Previously, Pennsylvania's licensing framework did not provide this option, limiting the pool of qualified faculty available to dental schools. The change aims to address staffing challenges at academic institutions by making it easier for practicing dentists to take on teaching roles without requiring full unrestricted licensure or relinquishing their current practice positions.

Impact on Pennsylvania dental education

Pennsylvania has three dental schools that will benefit from this expansion. By removing barriers to faculty appointments, the legislation addresses a nationwide workforce challenge in dental education. Dental schools across the country have reported difficulty recruiting and retaining qualified instructors, particularly for clinical teaching positions. This bill provides a practical solution by allowing experienced clinicians to divide their time between practice and education.