Peninsula Dental Hygienists' Association

Article Date:  July 28, 2010

2010 is a critical year for you to be involved.  For the first time in more than ten years, the Virginia Board of Dentistry will be performing a complete review and overhaul of the current regulations that govern the practice of dental hygiene and dentistry.  The Virginia Dental Hygienists’ Association has consistently worked hard to accomplish substantial advancements in the scope of dental hygiene practice and career stability.  General supervision and the administration of local anesthesia are two landmark advances that VDHA has sponsored and achieved for Virginia dental hygienists. 

The recent collaboration with our Virginia Dental Association colleagues and subsequent defeat of legislation that would allow insurance companies to set fees for non-covered services has fostered an even stronger working relationship between our associations.  We have demonstrated that we are dedicated and committed to protecting the oral and systemic health of the public we serve.

Now it is more important than ever for us to protect and advance dental hygiene in Virginia.

Due to today’s economy, many members have had to reduce their contributions toward our legislative representation.  It is imperative that we proactively participate in the reorganization of the regulations that govern the practice of our profession.  It is critical that we have representation during these upcoming Board of Dentistry meetings so that our voice will be heard and our scope of practice will remain intact.  In order to do this, VDHA needs your support.  Please help achieve this goal by contributing to VDHA’s Legislative Fund.  Every dollar we raise will help to ensure our ability to practice as registered dental hygienists for many years to come.

Please send your contribution today to:
VDHA Legislative Fund
c/o Trish MacDougall

13219 Pennypacker Lane

Fairfax, VA 22033

Pam Kitner, RDH: VDHA Governmental and Professional Affairs Council Chair

Carrie Simpson, BFA, BSDH, RDH:  VDHA Regulation and Practice Chair

Article date:  6-3-10
An invitation to join in the mission of making a greater difference.  I am grateful and proud that we can all enjoy the benefits of being part of a "professional" family right here on the Peninsula via organized Dental Hygiene.  It is true that everyone is needed, so please, consider the PDHA just like your second family that also depends upon your special and individualized contributions of volunteerism and leadership. As you well know, you always receive so much more when you give of yourself.

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Article date:  April 18, 2010
AS2010 Report by Marge Green, RDH, MS. 

The revised Bylaws  adopted by the 2010 VDHA House of Delegates are now posted on the VDHA website.

Any questions or need for further information, please contact Delegates: Marge Green or Jennifer Podish

January 18^th, Tuesday

Mark off your practice schedule for Tuesday, Jan. 18th, to visit our state legislators and advocate for the well being of the public and our profession. 

Join your colleagues and student dental hygienists in presenting the VDHA oral health gift bags to 140+ legislators, visiting the fully restored Capital, touring the Governor’s mansion, and earning continuing education credit.  Group bus transportation will be sponsored by the VDHA Foundation. 

Please email Marge Green, RDH, MS, PDHA Legislative Chair, for details and reservations at mgreenrdh@gmail.com

 Image Gallery Archive:

Rally Day January 22, 2010, Richmond, Virginia

Article date:  Jan 22, 2010

Roster of legislators specific to your component. you will need to  scroll to the left to get to the 07 Comnponent on this spread sheet. This is posted as an informational service for RDHs in Hampton Roads area. 

Comp07 Peninsula Legislators - Specific to the Peninsula.

Please go to 
http://legis.virginia.gov/  and click on "Who's My Legislator"  to then identify your delegate and senator, and then you can inform PDHA Legislative Chair  of those answers to create our PDHA Legislative Network. 

March 5, 2008 (Article date)

Here is the website for inquiries about the anesthesia courses offered at VCU.  http://www.dentistry.vcu.edu/professionals/ce/Default.aspx

April 16, 2008

To the Virginia Dental Hygienists' Association,

We have just received the official word that Virginia dental hygienists can practice local anesthesia and administer nitrous oxide today, April 16, 2008!!  VDHA has worked extremely hard with the BOD to established qualifications and regulations. We are in the process of gathering information of available courses and costs.  We will post this information on our website. Thank you to the numerous members who attended task force meetings, BOD Meetings, and attended Rally Day to pass this long awaited regulation. Trustees, please circulate to your components. I hope to put out a ADHA VOCUS to inform all members.

Thanks to everyone, Julie Simms, VDHA President

Article date: Aug 2007 VBD

September 3, 2008

Mark off your practice schedule for Friday, Jan. 23rd, to visit our state legislators and advocate for the well being of both the public and our profession.  Join your colleagues and students in presenting the VDHA gift bags of oral health aids to all 140 legislators, visiting the fully restored Capital, tour the Governor’s mansion, and earn continuing education credit.  Car pool and/or bus transportation will be available free of charge as funded by the VDHA Foundation.  In the event of inclement weather, Rally Day will be rescheduled for Jan. 30th.  

Please email Marge Green, RDH, MS, PDHA Legislative Chair, for details and reservations at mgreenrdh@gmail.com

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Dental assistants may aid dental hygienists under general supervision.

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Effective June 29, 2006, a dentist or a dental hygienist shall be required to maintain evidence of successful completion of training in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Effective June 29, 2006, a dentist who administers or a dental hygienist who monitors patients under general anesthesia, deep sedation or conscious sedation shall complete four hours every two years of approved continuing education directly related to administration or monitoring of such anesthesia or sedation as part of the hours required for licensure renewal.

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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.  

Article date:  June 29, 2006

• 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.