The Virginia Dental Workforce Council convened at the Virginia Dental Association Headquarters in Richmond on Friday, April 14. Chaired by VDA President Dr. Cindy Southern, the participants included representatives from dental education, VDA member dentists, dental hygiene, dental assisting, healthcare associations, the Department of Veterans Services and Governor Youngkin’s administration. 

The Council discussed opportunities to better partner with Virginia’s community colleges, clearer pathways to bridge military experience to dental professions, opportunities to introduce students earlier on to dental professional opportunities, and strategies for meeting the present and future demands of Virginia’s dental workforce. 

The Council will be meeting throughout the year to identify opportunities to support dental education programs in Virginia and develop policy recommendations for meeting Virginia’s dental workforce needs. 

For more information about the Virginia Dental Workforce Council, email Laura Givens at givens@vadental.org.

Read more about the Council and its goals and objectives in the most recent issue of the Virginia Dental Journal.