The Virginia Dental Hygienists’ Association (VDHA) would like to express our support for the Notice of Intended Regulatory Action (NOIRA) for regulations regarding remote supervision continuing education.

We believe the proposed language outlines thorough and appropriate course content to ensure dental hygienists are prepared to practice in remotely supervised settings. The VDHA has been a long-standing proponent of improving access to dental care by expanding the settings in which dental hygienists may practice under remote supervision. Allowing dental hygienists to practice as an employee and/or volunteer with a supervising dental for remote supervision will help to ease challenges for the underserved to access high quality oral health care. We were pleased to work with the Virginia Dental Association to pass legislation in 2016 and this past General Assembly session to do just this.

The NOIRA for the continuing education course requirements is an important next step in implementing this new law. Thank you for the opportunity to submit comments and for allowing us to engage in this regulatory process.