Abstract
The document discusses the critical shortage of dental professionals in Virginia, particularly dental hygienists and assistants, which is hindering patient access to essential dental care. Despite high demand for dental programs, limited capacity restricts student admissions. The Virginia Dental Association (VDA) is working with political and educational leaders to address this issue by advocating for increased investment in dental education and training. Efforts include expanding program capacities, improving licensure portability, and supporting mental health initiatives for dental professionals. The goal is to ensure a robust dental workforce to meet the growing oral health care needs in Virginia.
Recommended Citation
Dunn, Ryan
(2024)
"BRIDGING THE GAP: CLEARING THE PATHWAYS TO IN-DEMAND CAREERS IN DENTISTRY,"
Virginia Dental Journal: Vol. 101:
No.
2, Article 5.
Available at:
https://commons.ada.org/vadentaljournal/vol101/iss2/5