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 prior 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 reduced barriers and costs for dental care for low-income individuals. This report summarizes the burden of relevant oral disease statewide as updated by the 2014 Virginia 3rd Grade Basic Screening Survey (BSS) and documents the services provided in FY18 by the dental hygienists and dental assistants employed by VDH under the remote supervision protocol.

In FY18, 7,864 children returned a permission form and were screened by a dental hygienist in a school-based setting; 2,518 received sealants, and 7,090 fluoride varnish applications were provided in initial and follow-up visits. A total of 2,031 children were identified as having other oral health needs and referred to community providers. In clinic settings, through the VDH “Bright Smiles for Babies" (BSB) Program, 4,861 infants and children were screened, and 4,420 fluoride varnish applications were provided. In FY18, the combined remote supervision hygienist workforce provided clinical services with a market value exceeding $ 2.4 million in 19 VDH health districts. As this and previous reports indicate, the remote supervision model offers an effective alternative method of delivery for safety net dental program services that increases access for underserved populations.