The 2017 General Assembly Session has come to a close. The VDHA is pleased to announce that our remote supervision legislation, HB 1474, passed both the House of Delegate and Senate unanimously. We are now just waiting for Governor McAuliffe’s signature! As you know, the legislation made a few necessary changes to the bill we passed in 2016. The changes included:

• Dental Hygienists will no longer have to be employed by the supervising dentist. It’s been changed to allow the clinics and facilities to employ the dental hygienist.
• The required continuing education course will be designed to develop the competencies needed to provide care under remote supervision.
• As long as a patient verbally confirms they do not have a dentist, the dental hygienist does not need permission from the dentist.
• Dental hygienists no longer have to contact the dentist prior to serving someone with medical complexities, as long as a written protocol is established beforehand. 

Language was also added to the bill to ensure it will be implemented faster. The Board of Dentistry will have 280 days to promulgate the regulations. HB 1474 will result in expanded access to oral health care. We appreciate Delegate Orrock carrying this legislation for us and are pleased that the bill passed both chambers unanimously.

Thank you to everyone who attended Rally Day and advocated for remote supervision this year. We will update you once the bill has been signed by Governor McAuliffe.