Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger signed two dental workforce bills into law, backed by the Virginia Dental Association and the ADA, that take effect July 1.
The first law allows internationally trained dentists to pursue dental hygiene licensure in Virginia. The second permits qualified dental assistants to perform certain scaling and polishing procedures under the supervision of a licensed dentist. Both measures seek to address hygienist shortages, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
The ADA said the legislation expands access to oral health services in areas where dental workforce gaps have been most acute.
