As a practicing registered dental hygienist in Ontario, Canada, I was surprised to learn that the state of Virginia, as well as as other individual states, does not recognize my education as being on par with the dental hygiene education provided in the United States of America.  I underwent an extensive 2.5 years of schooling at a CDAC accredited college where I was given the knowledge, skills and experience to treat a variety of clients. My education was based on the client centred process of care, ADPIE (assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention, and evaluation). The classroom theory courses were centred around basic and dental sciences. I participated in numerous clinical hours treating a wide range of clients, from young children with primary dentitions to adults with aggressive periodontitis. I underwent rigorous certification, wrote and passed my national board exam and am member of the self regulating college in my province (The College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario). I now practice dental hygiene in a private practice in Barrie, Ontario, Canada where the approach is to prevent oral diseases and maintain optimal oral health. I have and maintain a quality assurance portfolio. I continue my education, keeping current, through courses, self study, peer groups and various readings. I am proud to be a dental hygienist. I work hard. I am ethical and professional. It saddens me to think that my education and skills as a registered graduate from an accredited Canadian dental hygiene institution are not recognized in the state of Virginia. My hope in writing this, is to motivate change in the right direction. If myself, or any other Canadian educated dental hygienist, can successfully pass the rigours of the American National Dental Hygiene Board Exam and provide proof of training from an accredited Canadian school, I would like to see that recognized within the state of Virginia. I encourage the reviewers to visit the College of Dental Hygienist of Ontario (CDHO) website to become familiar with their code of ethics, standards of practice and mission. Upon extensive review of our educational and professional standards, I am confident you will see that they closely parallel those of the state of Virginia.