Abstract
Virginia faces a critical shortage of dental hygienists, particularly in rural and underserved areas, leading to delays in preventative care. The Virginia Dental Association (VDA) proposes a three-step solution: leveraging internationally educated dentists, expanding the role of dental assistants, and increasing funding for dental hygiene education programs. These measures aim to address workforce shortages, improve access to care, and alleviate the education bottleneck. The VDA is actively monitoring legislative developments and advocating for solutions to strengthen Virginia’s dental workforce.
Recommended Citation
Givens, Laura
(2026)
"VIRGINIA’S DENTAL WORKFORCE SHORTAGE: A THREE-STEP SOLUTION TO STRENGTHEN THE PREVENTATIVE DENTAL WORKFORCE AND EXPAND ACCESS TO CARE,"
Virginia Dental Journal: Vol. 103:
No.
1, Article 8.
Available at:
https://commons.ada.org/vadentaljournal/vol103/iss1/8