Pursuant to House Bill 2251, passed during the 2023 General Assembly Session, the Board of Dentistry convened a workgroup on July 21, 2023 to:

1. compare licensure requirements for dentists and dental hygienists in the Commonwealth with such requirements in other states and the District of Columbia;

2. analyze the number of licensed dentists in the Commonwealth relative to population growth and geography;

3. identify the risks and benefits to the public if a licensure by endorsement pathway were to exist in the Commonwealth; and

4. identify any other licensure pathways that would serve the public good.

The workgroup found that the licensure requirements for dentists and dental hygienists were generally comparable with the majority of United States jurisdictions. The workgroup additionally found that numbers of dentists and dental hygienists have remained stable in terms of available workforce and the number of licensees planning to retire in the next 10 years.

The workgroup noted that licensure by endorsement is currently available in Virginia for dentists and dental hygienists. Such a pathway has been available for many years and is successfully used by applicants.

Finally, the workgroup examined other licensure pathways. The workgroup considered the possibility of joining a dental compact. Evidence examined during the workgroup and confirmed following the workgroup show that the currently available dental compact may allow licensure of individuals who do not meet the educational requirements for Virginia. The workgroup also discussed potential pathways for licensure for foreign graduates used by another jurisdiction which required supervised clinical practice in the state prior to licensure.

The workgroup did not suggest or recommend changes to the current licensure process, the endorsement process, or any specific pathway to licensure not currently in use in Virginia based on the information reviewed by the workgroup.

Workgroup Members

Margaret F. Lemaster
R.D.H., Board Member

William C. Bigelow, D.D.S.
Board Member

Lisa Ward
Vice President, Communications
Association of Dental Support Organization (ADSO)

Heather Tuthill
President
Virginia Dental Hygienists’ Association (VDHA)

Benjamin H. Traynham, Esq.
Representative
Virginia Dental Association (VDA)

Jamie C. Sacksteder
Executive Director
Virginia Board of Dentistry

Erin L. Barrett
Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs
Department of Health Professions