September 3, 2008

Mark off your practice schedule for Friday, Jan. 23rd, to visit our state legislators and advocate for the well being of both the public and our profession.  Join your colleagues and students in presenting the VDHA gift bags of oral health aids to all 140 legislators, visiting the fully restored Capital, tour the Governor’s mansion, and earn continuing education credit.  Car pool and/or bus transportation will be available free of charge as funded by the VDHA Foundation.  In the event of inclement weather, Rally Day will be rescheduled for Jan. 30th.  

Please email Marge Green, RDH, MS, PDHA Legislative Chair, for details and reservations at mgreenrdh@gmail.com

April 16, 2008

To the Virginia Dental Hygienists' Association,

We have just received the official word that Virginia dental hygienists can practice local anesthesia and administer nitrous oxide today, April 16, 2008!!  VDHA has worked extremely hard with the BOD to established qualifications and regulations. We are in the process of gathering information of available courses and costs.  We will post this information on our website. Thank you to the numerous members who attended task force meetings, BOD Meetings, and attended Rally Day to pass this long awaited regulation. Trustees, please circulate to your components. I hope to put out a ADHA VOCUS to inform all members.

Thanks to everyone, Julie Simms, VDHA President

March 5, 2008 (Article date)

Here is the website for inquiries about the anesthesia courses offered at VCU.  http://www.dentistry.vcu.edu/professionals/ce/Default.aspx

Article date: Aug 2007 VBD

Article date
Dental assistants may aid dental hygienists under general supervision.

Article date

Effective June 29, 2006, a dentist or a dental hygienist shall be required to maintain evidence of successful completion of training in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Effective June 29, 2006, a dentist who administers or a dental hygienist who monitors patients under general anesthesia, deep sedation or conscious sedation shall complete four hours every two years of approved continuing education directly related to administration or monitoring of such anesthesia or sedation as part of the hours required for licensure renewal.

Article date
Effective June 29, 2006 Continuing education hours in excess of the number required for renewal may be transferred or credited to the next renewal year for a total of not more than 15 hours.  

Article date:  June 29, 2006

• After June 29, 2006, all dentists and dental hygienists must maintain training in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
• After June 29, 2006, all dentists who administer conscious sedation or deep sedation/general anesthesia are required to hold current certification in advanced resuscitative techniques, such as courses in Advanced Cardiac Life Support or Pediatric Advanced Life Support.
• After June 29, 2006, every dentist who administers general anesthesia, deep sedation or conscious sedation is required to obtain 4 hours of continuing education on the administration of anesthesia or sedation within a two-year period.
• After June 29, 2006, every dental hygienist who monitors general anesthesia, deep sedation or conscious sedation is required to obtain 4 hours of continuing education on monitoring of anesthesia or sedation within a two-year period.

The two-year period will run with the renewal period.  The first course taken to meet this requirement should be taken between April 1, 2006 and March 31, 2008.  The next course must be taken within two years of the first course and would need to be taken between April 1, 2008 and March 31, 2010.