I started this petition because I could see a need. 

I think it is great that Virginia expanded it's functions as there are so many things a dental assistant could proficiently do to help dentists more. I live in a border town (NC) where I packed cord for 10 years only to come to VA and it be prohibited. 

I have noticed a lot of dental assistants in VA are not Certified Dental Assistants. I am however Certified through DANB (Dental Assistant National Board). I also teach dental assisting at our local community college. I teach Dental Materials, Radiology, and Clinical Assisting I and II. Our program is a one year program that only prepares the assistant for the NELDA exam which is the entry level Dental Assistant Exam. Usually it is a two year program that prepares assistants for the CDA portion. Even though we teach only for NELDA the students learn and test on everything a DAII would do also. We place fillings in dexter teeth, pack cord, take all types of impressions among many other things. In addition to the classes our students take they have to work for a dentist for two years before they can take the exam to become a CDA. 

That said, a CDA has two years or equivalent of Dental Assisting School. To become a DAII currently we would need another year of school. A dentist only spends 4 years in dental school. A hygienist only spends 2 years in school. But a CDA is asked for 3 years to be a DAII?  When the hygienist were able to provide local anesthetic they weren't asked to reenter school for another year to do so. 

I do not think this is a step back in education at all. I think this will push more of Virginia's Dental Assistants to seek their CDA Certification so they can later obtain their DAII license. Taking these exams is neither easy nor cheap. For a CDA to pass these exams they would need to study to brush up and update their skills and knowledge to pass them. These tests would cost a CDA I believe at least $500 to take. These are the SAME tests the DAII in the year long program are asked to take. If a CDA can study pass these and have a dentist willing to let them do the work under their license then why shouldn't they be able to?

You can argue that each dentist would have to gauge a newly hired DAII's abilities because of what some people consider office training. I can argue that ALL dentists should be gauging ALL new hires abilities anyway. If it were my dental license,  I would. Any dentist or corporate office who cares would. 

Furthermore, I said with 5 or 10 years experience as I don't feel any student straight out of school and with no experience has learned enough. There is a lot to be said for learning in the field. That is why there are externships and internships in the health fields. Not everything can be taught in a a classroom. 

Thank you for your consideration. I hope this passes, or at least opens talks for new avenues toward improving the obtainability of the DAII licensure.