Virginia Dental Hygienists’ Association Position Paper

Protect our profession form low standards & advocate for advancement!

I am a registered dental hygienist with over 32 years experience.

If a clinician does not have the proper education and preparation, patients are put at risk; short term and long term risks.

Please do not support these ADA Resolutions. They may seem like a quick solution but in the long run will cause many dental problems which can also affect the overall health of all. If tartar is left below the gumline because the assistant is only scaling above the gumline then periodontal disease can occur which is related to diabetes progression, Alzheimer’s, heart problems and more. We need skilled dental hygienists for these positions. The health of our country is greatly dependent on it. Dentists will become liable for the progression of these dental problems if they occur. This can be costly for dental offices as well.

As an assistant that has done more coronal polishing in the past 3 months than the 16yrs I have been in the dental field I am completely against the new role they wish to force upon assistants. We chose our profession for a reason just as Hygienists did

We need to advocate for patients oral health. This OPA and other proposed down grades to skills that only a RDH have is not the answer .

This is not quality health care

There are standards for a reason---everyone should have to meet them.

Healthcare University educational careers should not be minimalized to just train people in the office. There is too much anatomy alone that cannot be trained in house. Please require higher education for these positions. It is necesaary

This will be very detrimental to the public! 120 hours of training is a joke! Dental hygiene is preventative first, and diagnostic with the dentist and then treat the disease. With this bill you CREATE DISEASE with supervised neglect and the patient has no clue! A pathetic move by the ADA. I am 40 years in hygiene and so sad and angry to see this bill proposed.

Concur with Pamela, only properly Trained persons working on me

Licensed hygienist need portability between states before we allow unlicensed practitioners to compromise patient health

I strongly oppose this bill and disservice to the public it would cause

Only hired trained licensed professionals

The solution is not to give unqualified persons our job duties. Do better ADA.

Disservice for the public! Sub standard care

Please consider that dental assistants providing a service to treat a condition they cannot recognize will jeopardize patient care and marginalizes dental hygienists role in the dental office. Maria Yost, RDH 27 years of practice

Please protect the integrity of our profession

Please consider patients safety.

A 1973 IUSD graduate LDH still proudly practicing. I stand in support of my fellow Registered Dental Hygienists against compromising quality care of our patients and the greater public by a hasty, measure put forth by the ADA. This measure benefits only the ADA and it's members.