Big Ideas, Real Impact.

The Virginia Dental Hygienists' Association (VDHA) would like to provide resources for our advocacy efforts, and why it is essential for us to use our collective voices to not only protect our profession, but advance the science and practice of dental hygiene in Virginia.

The MOST important thing you can do is JOIN ADHA/VDHA!!! Increasing our membership numbers helps to support our Association, and more importantly provides greater influence as we advocate and educate our legislators.

Visit https://www.adha.org/membership/ to explore membership benefits, calculate your dues, and join ADHA/VDHA now! You will be able to select your payment schedule after entering your information. Joining ADHA/VDHA costs approximately $86 per QUARTER (every 3 months) depending on your zip code/component.

Familiarize yourself (even if you are not a member) with ADHA’s and VDHA’s policies, positions, and current advocacy efforts on ADHA’s and VDHA’s websites.

·Find ADHA’s Advocacy Portal: https://www.adha.org/advocacy/federal-efforts/, and ADHA’s Workforce and Autonomy White Papers: https://www.adha.org/advocacy/adha-white-papers/

·Stay connected with VDHA’s Advocacy efforts www.yourvdha.com

·Follow ADHA and VDHA on social media channels

  • Instagrams: @yourvdha_, @youradha

  • Facebook Pages: Virginia Dental Hygienists’ Association and American Dental Hygienists’ Association

In the coming weeks, VDHA will be launching a grass roots/local legislator education campaign, and WE NEED YOUR HELP.

As of July 1, 2026, SB178/HB970 and SB282/HB1036 will be codified into law. Foreign-trained dentists are not able to practice as dental hygienists until licensure pathways are established. Scaling dental assistants cannot scale supragingivally until certification is complete.

Visit this link https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/.../Enforcement/FileaComplaint/ to access Virginia’s Department of Health Professions ANONYMOUS online portal to report practices that are using dental assistants to scale teeth or contact the Department of Health Professions Enforcement Division.

Virginia Department of Health Professions
Enforcement Division
Perimeter Center
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300
Henrico, VA 23233-1463
Telephone: 1-800-533-1560 or (804) 367-4691
Fax: (804) 212-2174

Again, thank you for your support! VDHA remains committed to educating the public, our fellow dental hygiene professionals, and our legislators of the importance of advancing our profession toward more autonomous practice, protecting the health of the public, and giving the citizens of the Commonwealth greater access to safe, oral preventive care.