HB 2493 Administration of topical drugs; dental hygienists, physician assistants, and nurses.

Monday, January 28, 2019 3:19 PM | Heather Tuthill (Administrator)

HB 2493 carried by Delegate Kathy Tran (D-Springfield) (http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?191+sum+HB2493) is our legislation that VDHA worked on with the Board of Dentistry and Virginia Dental Association (VDA). It corrects unintended restrictions and omissions that prevent dental hygienists from administering certain topical drugs for which they are trained and permitted to administer under general supervision.

The bill allows dental hygienists practicing under remote supervision to administer certain Schedule VI drugs approved by the Board of Dentistry and prescribed by a dentist, as currently allowed under general supervision. It also allows dental hygienists, under a standing order from a dentist or physician, to administer topical fluoride varnish to patients of all ages instead of only to young children.

HB 2493 reported unanimously from a House Health, Welfare and Institutions (HWI) subcommittee. Susan Pharr, MPH, RDH testified in favor of the bill on behalf of VDHA. It will move to full committee where we expect it to pass with no objection, after which it will cross over to the Senate and likely be assigned to the Education & Health Committee. VDHA will continue to lobby in support of the bill.


The Virginia Dental Hygienists' Association  is a 501(c)6 non-profit organization located at 8100 Three Chopt Road, OMG Suite 226, Richmond, VA 23229. 757-609-3661. Contact VDHA

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