As a dental hygienist, I strongly oppose allowing dental assistants who are trained by dentists to perform dental hygiene services in Virginia. I have worked in the dental field for 20 years as a dental assistant and dental hygienist. Dental hygiene is a distinct profession that requires specific education, clinical training, competency, and an understanding of preventive oral health that goes far beyond assisting a dentist.

Hygienists are trained to assess periodontal health, recognize disease, provide preventive treatment, educate patients, and identify conditions that may require further evaluation. Allowing individuals without formal dental hygiene education and licensure to perform these services creates concerns about patient safety, quality of care, and consistency in the standard of treatment.

This is not about diminishing the role or value of dental assistants. Dental assistants are an essential part of the dental team, but their scope of practice and education are different from those of a licensed dental hygienist. Expanding their duties into hygiene services simply because they have been trained on the job does not provide the same level of education, clinical experience, or professional accountability.

Virginia patients deserve to know that the person providing their preventive and periodontal care has received the appropriate education and training to do so. Lowering the standard of education required to provide hygiene services risks compromising patient care and undermining the profession of dental hygiene.