We are a group of internationally trained dentists living in Texas, many of whom have years of dental education and professional experience practicing dentistry in our home countries.

We have chosen Texas as our home, and we want to remain here, raise our families, work, and contribute to the communities where we live. We do not want to leave Texas simply because we cannot access a realistic pathway to continue our careers in dentistry or dental hygiene.

Many of us cannot afford to return to dental school for another two or more years through expensive advanced-standing or residency programs. We have families, financial responsibilities, and limited access to the loans needed for these programs.

We are not asking Texas to give us a dental license automatically.

We are asking the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners and the Texas Legislature to consider a separate, competency-based pathway for internationally trained dentists to become licensed dental hygienists.

We are willing to demonstrate our competency through:

Credential and education evaluation
National dental-hygiene examinations
Clinical examinations
Texas jurisprudence requirements
Background checks
Additional education or supervised clinical training, if required
Other states, including Florida, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Indiana, and Virginia, have created or considered pathways for internationally educated dentists to enter dental hygiene.

We ask Texas to study these models and consider creating a similar pathway that protects patients while allowing qualified internationally trained dentists to use their existing education and experience.

We also ask Texas to consider interstate endorsement/reciprocity for internationally trained dentists who first become licensed dental hygienists in another state through a recognized competency-based pathway.

Our message is simple:

We are not asking for lower standards.

We are asking for another way to meet the standards.

We want to stay in Texas, work in Texas, serve Texas communities, and contribute to the state we call home.

Please support this petition and ask Texas to consider a fair, competency-based pathway for internationally trained dentists to practice dental hygiene in Texas.