The Senate Committee on Education and Health is considering two bills of concern. SB 282 - a bill allowing foreign trained dentists to practice dental hygiene without traditional licensure and SB 178 - a bill creating the Oral Preventive Assistant (OPA). 

SB 282 would grant a license to practice dental hygiene to an applicant if they provide proof of graduation from a dental school outside the United States and are eligible to practice dentistry in a country or jurisdiction outside the United States.

SB 178 would create a certification process for “preventive dental assistants.” This measure is critical because supra-gingival (or partial) scaling is inconsistent with safety and quality standards, risks misrepresentation of the incomplete care provided and mis-filing of insurance claims and possible False Claims Act exposure. It invades the scope of dental hygiene practice and may have a negative impact on the dental hygienists’ malpractice policy. 

ADHA and VDHA strongly oppose SB 282 unless it is amended to require CODA-accredited education and successful completion of national board and clinical state board examinations to bring internationally trained dentists up to U.S. standards of care. ADHA and VDHA also strongly oppose SB 178, as it would allow unqualified providers to perform dental hygiene duties.

Let’s make certain Virginia remains at the forefront of advancing oral healthcare—take action NOW by personalizing a pre-written message to your legislators and ensuring they hear directly from their constituents and the professionals who understand how this bill will impact oral health in Virginia. 

Ensuring Virginia remains at the forefront of advancing oral health and protecting the public’s well being requires direct engagement from dental hygienists like you!

-VDHA and ADHA Leaders