I am a proud preventive healthcare provider as a licensed dental hygienist, and I am urgently asking that the Board of Dentistry (BOD) reconsider the decision to not issue regulations on the new scaling assistant law that was enacted on July 1st. I was active in the legislative session all last year and confidently feel the General Assembly expected the BOD to explain how this new law should work with clear regulations and guidance.

I am not asking that the BOD change what the General Assembly passed as I am aware that is not possible, however I am asking the BOD to explain how this law will work and to keep in mind the safety of our patients by implementing clear regulations and guidance. The enacted law as written is not clear, leaves many questions unanswered, and leaves the interpretation of that law to vary among dentists leading to different training standards in different offices. There is no clear standards on how dentists and dental hygienists should provide the training they are responsible for in this law and the BOD should ensure consistent, standardized training exists for these new providers.

Importantly, this law allows training to occur through existing dental assisting programs in Virginia, yet these programs do not include supragingival scaling as part of the curriculum. The BOD regulates dental assisting programs in Virginia and therefore seems it would fall within their purvue to explain what additional training and curriculum is required.

I am sincerely and urgently asking that the BOD make sure the enacted law is clear, consistent, and safe. The General Assembly enacted this law and created this scaling assistant provider, but it did not answer how this should safely be implemented or how it should operate; the BOD's expertise is needed.