Two controversial bills being proposed in Virginia seek to expand who is legally allowed to perform dental cleanings. They’re aimed at addressing a shortage of dental hygienists and helping people get preventive cleanings before they develop bigger, more expensive dental problems.
But the Virginia Dental Hygienists’ Association is blasting the two proposals, saying they’re not safe.
During dental cleanings, hygienists perform a procedure called scaling, using tools to scrape the plaque from patients’ teeth and gums. The goal is to prevent patients from getting gum disease.
Right now in Virginia, licensed dental hygienists and dentists are the only ones allowed to scale teeth. Licensed dental hygienists are required to do at least two years of college study. But federal employment data shows there’s currently a shortage of dental hygienists in Virginia, with one-third of jobs unfilled.
Source: Dental assistants could take on some hygienist duties under new Virginia bill / NBC Washington