RD331 - 2014 Report to the General Assembly on Services Provided by Virginia Department of Health Dental Hygienists Pursuant to a “Remote Supervision” Protocol


Executive Summary:
The program for Virginia Department of Health (VDH) dental hygienist services provided under a “remote supervision” protocol was first established in 2009. The evolution of the “remote supervision” protocol from pilot to established program is detailed in VDH annual reports on the General Assembly’s Legislative Information System website.

This legislative action has enabled VDH dental hygienists to provide preventive dental services without the general or direct supervision of a dentist. This effort has improved access to preventive dental services for those at highest risk of dental disease, as well as reducing barriers and costs for dental care for low-income individuals. This report documents the services provided in FY14 by the dental hygienists and dental assistants employed by VDH under the “remote supervision” protocol.

In FY14, nearly 4,000 children returned a permission form and were screened by a dental hygienist in a school-based setting; 1,746 received sealants and 3,754 received a fluoride varnish application. A total of 1,220 children were identified as having other oral health needs and referred to community providers. In clinic settings, through the VDH “Bright Smiles for Babies” program, 6,527 infants and children were screened. School and clinic programs combined to provide 9,842 fluoride varnish applications.

As this and previous reports indicate, the remote supervision model offers an effective alternative method of delivery for safety net dental program services with increased access for underserved populations.