Dentists and patients in Fairfax County, Va., are struggling with the lack of dental hygienists in the state, the Fairfax County Times reported July 17. Eight notes: 1. Virginia’s hygienist workforce currently falls short of the national average, with 60.5…
Staffing Issues
The American Dental Association is urging Congress to reauthorize and invest in dental workforce programs to increase access to oral healthcare in underserved communities. The ADA wrote a letter to the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Health ahead…
Massachusetts dental providers recently debated an interstate dental compact being considered by legislators, Masslive.com reported July 14. Four notes: 1. State legislators are considering legislation to join two different compacts: the Interstate Dental & Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact, and the…
The orthodontic field is experiencing a slightly more positive workforce, according to a recent survey from the American Association of Orthodontists. The AAO recently conducted its “Economics of Orthodontics and Patient Census Survey,” which gathers practice statistics, market data and…
Vermont State Colleges is ending the development of its dental therapy program at Vermont State University in Montpelier, Vermont Business Magazine reported June 30. The state authorized the practice of dental therapists in 2016 to help increase access to care…
Louisiana lawmakers have passed a bill making Louisiana the first state to join the American Association of Dental Boards’ Interstate Dental & Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact. Three notes: 1. The interstate compact aims to streamline dental licensing, alleviate workforce shortages…
The New York state legislature has passed a bill to allow dental hygienists to practice without supervision in specified locations if they enter a collaborative practice agreement with a licensed dentist. To be eligible for a collaborative practice agreement, hygienists…
Hopkinton, Mass.-based Simply Dental Management has made several internal changes in response to employee feedback, including with its benefits and communications. The DSO said company-wide, anonymous surveys were sent out in September to identify employee challenges and areas of improvement.…
The American Dental Hygienists’ Association criticized an Arizona bill amendment that would eliminate educational requirements for dental assistants seeking to become oral preventive assistants. In April, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signed Senate Bill 1124 into law to allow dental assistants…
The Michigan Dental Association has partnered with MEDVA to support dental practices in the state with staffing challenges. MEDVA is a physician-founded staffing company that connects healthcare practices with professionals trained in billing, insurance coordination, patient scheduling and records management.…