VDA Leaders Weigh in at Dental Advisory Committee Meeting in Richmond
Virginia’s Dental Advisory Committee met Friday, November 22, to share updates on Virginia’s dental Medicaid benefit and recommendations from Virginia dentists for improvements. VDA President Dr. Justin Norbo shared an update on VDA initiatives, including thanking Dr. Hairston for working with the association to set up and promote the dental Medicaid benefits liaison this past year.
Dr. Norbo reported that workforce continues to be a primary focus of the VDA, working collaboratively with many groups in the state, including the Virginia Community College System and VCU, to elevate the issue and address the constraints on dental hygiene programs, specifically.
He noted that pay for allied dental faculty and CODA constraints are significant factors preventing those programs from recruiting and retaining qualified faculty and expanding to meet the student and employer demand.
He shared that the VDA has joined other states in asking CODA for additional flexibility in allowing licensed hygienists with two-year associates degrees to serve as clinical faculty. CODA is considering this change at its February winter meeting.
Kristen Gilliam shared an update from DentaQuest, which included continued year-over-year growth in the number of adults with dental Medicaid claims, increases in pediatric utilization and pregnant members with claims. She reported a significant jump in provider participation, now representing 39 percent of Virginia’s practicing dentists.
The full presentation from DentaQuest is available here.
Dr. Scott Miller also provided a special presentation on the progress being made and plans for expansion at the Appalachian Highlands Community Dental Center. He outlined the center's mission to increase access to oral health care through partnerships and the planned expansion of dental chairs and residents at the JMH AEGD in Abingdon.
He also shared details about the anticipated launch of the Appalachian Highlands Community Dental Lab, which is expected to offer substantial benefits to both patients and Medicaid providers in the region and highlighted the continued impact of the mini-MOM projects provided throughout the year in conjunction with the VDA Foundation.
