Peninsula Dental Hygienists' Association

Thank you for contacting us! Yes, if you are a member of ADHA you qualify for free CE with us- PDHA. Just  go to our website and RSVP to any CE!  - www.pdha.net.  Please bring your ADHA card with you if you have one- this can be printed off -online when you join.  If you have a problem with this let me know.

When you join the ADHA, you automatically become a member at 3 levels of membership.  The levels are:  National- ADHA, State- Virginia (VDHA) or your state of residence,  and local component- Peninsula 07 (PDHA)- usually the component within your area of residence or your choice.  Your ADHA card says which component you are currently a member of.  It is important to update your membership if you have moved; or to join, go online to www.adha.org or call them directly at 312/440-8900 press #1.

A portion of your membership dues goes to each of the levels.  So, no you do not pay extra to be a member of the PDHA but please indicate at the component level, that you wish to be a Peninsula 07 member so that the PDHA recieves your component portion of your dues.  As of 1/15/2012 you are not currently a member of the PDHA.  Again,  If you are a current ADHA member or join the ADHA today, you can still join us for free!  Please come!!!

The great thing about being a member of the ADHA, we share a common bond as dental hygienists no matter what state we live in.  The more members we have, the stronger "voice" we have looking after the interests of hygienists and our profession.

Some components charge fees for CEs even if you are a member, so we are very fortunate that at PDHA we can offer this benefit among several others, for free.  Another benefit of the PDHA, is our ERP - Employee Resource Program.  Through this program, we alert our members first to employement opportunities - temporary, part-time or full-time. Members can also post when they are looking for help or wish to pick up some hours for free.- just tell us what you  would like to post and weekly emails are sent out to all our members first, and then to an extended email listing. 

The ADHA is an excellent source for CE renewal.  I do not know if DCEdental is- they should have a disclaimer that says they meet the VA Board of dentistry requirements for CEs on their advertisement. 
Regarding sedation- is your office offering IV sedation or are you talking about local anesthesia and conscious sedation courses?
For local anesthesia/conscious sedation, Old Dominion University is the closest place - you can access them through the pdha web page.

Carolyn Moore, Membership Chair PDHA

Join us at our monthly CE meetings.  We look forward to seeing you there!

Here is the website for inquiries about the anesthesia courses offered.   I know a lot of people are interested in this and would appresiate our efforts to pass this info on.  (Thanks Jennifer and Mimi for sending us this information!)

ODU, Norfolk, Virginia

Local Anesthesia/Nitrous Oxide Sedation Certification for Dental Hygienists

Call Continuing Education Operations (757) 683-4247 weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to register by phone with a credit card. Please reference the course number (CN) above when registering.  For more information CLICK here

NOVA
Northern Virginia Community College
Medical Education Campus
6699 Springfield Center Drive
Springfield, VA  22150

DENTAL HYGIENE – LOCAL ANESTHESIA & NITROUS OXIDE

This course for dental hygienists in the Commonwealth of Virginia will cover the basic concepts of the administration of local anesthesia. The online Ohio State University self-study module (12 hours) and NOVA’s lecture, hands-on (24 hours) course is designed to prepare the participant for the safe and effective administration of local anesthesia and pain control. Participants will complete on-line self-study prior to attending the lecture and hands-on sessions. Participants will be taught in the Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), Medical Education Campus, Springfield, Virginia under the supervision of the of an oral surgeon, dentists and dental hygiene faculty. This 36-hour course consists of on-line self study, lecture, demonstrations and hands-on clinical experiences. Completion of this course prepares the hygienist to give anesthesia and nitrous oxide to a patient in Virginia pursuant to VAC60-20-81.

Online module.  For classroom and skills register by phone – 703-822-6523.

VCU, Richmond, Virginia

Local Anesthesia and Nitrous Oxide for Dental Hygienists Course

This course provides instruction on both local anesthesia and nitrous oxide in a 36 hour format. It includes 23 hours didactic lecture sessions with interactive group-participation quizzes, 10 hours of hands-on clinical applications under faculty supervision, and 2 hours of written examinations with group review and discussion of answers, and a 1-hour written comprehensive evaluation for certification of course completion.  Start Date:  To Be Determinied:  VIsit VCU School of Dentistry 

Effective June 29, 2006 Continuing education hours in excess of the number required for renewal may be transferred or credited to the next renewal year for a total of not more than 15 hours.

Simply go to www.adha.org and join online! Be sure to designate Peninsula 07 as your component on the application form.

Find out who represents you in the Virginia General Assembly & US Congress .   Click on this link to find your legsilator!   http://conview.state.va.us/whosmy.nsf/main?openform

It is a good idea to keep your CE records at least 4 years.......Refer to the Viginia Board of Dentistry web site.

• After June 29, 2006, all dentists and dental hygienists must maintain training in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
• After June 29, 2006, all dentists who administer conscious sedation or deep sedation/general anesthesia are required to hold current certification in advanced resuscitative techniques, such as courses in Advanced Cardiac Life Support or Pediatric Advanced Life Support.
• After June 29, 2006, every dentist who administers general anesthesia, deep sedation or conscious sedation is required to obtain 4 hours of continuing education on the administration of anesthesia or sedation within a two-year period.
• After June 29, 2006, every dental hygienist who monitors general anesthesia, deep sedation or conscious sedation is required to obtain 4 hours of continuing education on monitoring of anesthesia or sedation within a two-year period.

The two-year period will run with the renewal period.  The first course taken to meet this requirement should be taken between April 1, 2006 and March 31, 2008.  The next course must be taken within two years of the first course and would need to be taken between April 1, 2008 and March 31, 2010.  http://www.dhp.state.va.us/dentistry/default.htm.

Practice Act changes  ( Code of VA):  Dental assistants may aid dental hygienists under general supervision.    http://www.dhp.state.va.us/dentistry/default.htm

Answers from the Board of Dentistry: VIRGINIA BOARD OF DENTISTRY BULLETIN May 2006

Having dental hygienists and dental assistants working under direction means the dentist must examine the oral cavity of the patient during the visit.