Kathy S. Forbes, RDH, BS, FADHA’s Post

It's starting - please protect your patients from dental assistants who will not have the expertise YOU have. If your state is heading this way to "address the work shortage issues", please step up and let your voice be heard. PREVENTIVE DENTAL ASSISTANT LEGISLATION ANNOUNCEMENT Washington Dental Hygienists' Assn Members and Friends, WDHA has confirmed a “Preventive Dental Assistant” bill will be introduced during the 2024 legislative session. This is obviously legislation we will oppose and we need your help! WDHA’s Regulation & Practice Team is strategically planning the most effective and efficient way for hygienists and those opposed to this legislation to advocate for defeating this bill. We will guide you through varying steps for how best to advocate throughout the legislative process. Until we have a bill number and can review the details of the bill, there will not be specific instructions on what to share with legislators. You may be asking, “What can I do now?!” Well, you’re in luck. For the moment, here are 4 things you can do until we receive more information: 1. Register for the Legislative Session Prep CE on January 10th (See comments for link) 2. Invite your hygiene colleagues to join the WDHA Facebook group 3. Participate in WDHA’s Virtual Legislative Week, January 15-19 (See www.wsdha.com under “Advocacy” tab for details) 4. Join ADHA/WDHA if you are not already a member. See link to join in comments! As WDHA receives more information, so will you. WDHA’s website has an “Advocacy” tab that will have full details and all legislative happenings. Our group FB page is the other main source for information. We are in this together and together we will defeat this bill! #Teamhygiene Sincerely, Colleen Gaylord RDH & Christi Hasbrook RDH WDHA Regulation and Practice Co-chairs regandpractice@wsdha.com