Virginia recently enacted two staffing bills related to dental assistants and hygienists.
Four notes:
1. SB 282 creates a licensure pathway for internationally educated dentists to become hygienists.
2. HB 970 allows a dental assistant with 1,800 hours of clinical experience and additional training to perform supragingival scaling with hand and ultrasonic scalers and coronal polishing under dentist supervision.
3. SB 282 was contested by hygienists in the state who said the bill simplifies the role of a hygienist and could put patients at risk.
4. Both bills are awaiting Governor Abigail Spanberger’s signature.
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