Washington Dental Hygienists Change the Legislative Conversation

In 2025, the familiar symbol of justice, Lady Justice, took on a new form in Washington State — blindfolded, balanced, and holding a dental scaler. The image was more than symbolic. It reflected the emergence of a new, organized voice in oral health policy: Dental Hygiene Advocates of Washington (DHAW).

A nonprofit organization formed by seasoned leaders within Washington’s dental hygiene community, DHAW is built on decades of professional experience and legislative engagement. The organization emerged in response to a growing need: an independent voice dedicated to protecting public safety, accredited dental-hygiene education, and the integrity of preventive oral healthcare.

From its inception, DHAW prioritized building the infrastructure required for effective engagement. The organization retained an experienced lobbyist for the 2026 session, a strategic investment to expand access to policymakers in the capital city, Olympia, and ensure dental hygienists are present, informed, and represented in legislative discussions affecting their profession.

Origin Story

Washington’s dental hygiene community has long supported prevention-based care and expanded access for underserved populations. However, recent legislative proposals raised concerns about efforts to address workforce shortages by reducing education and licensure standards.

In particular, proposals to establish an oral preventive assistant (OPA), which permits individuals with minimal, nonaccredited training to perform preventive services, prompted debate regarding patient safety, professional oversight, and public trust.

DHAW was formed to address these issues directly. Its mission rests on a core principle: prevention is most effective when delivered by properly educated, licensed, and regulated professionals.

The organization supports equitable, sustainable approaches to access while opposing policy shortcuts that compromise quality, safety, and evidence-based practice.

Impact in the 2025–2026 Legislative Sessions

During the 2025 legislative session, House Bill 1680 proposed the creation of a new dental provider, a dental assistant with unspecified and nonaccredited training authorized to perform prophylaxis on patients deemed to be in a “healthy state.” Key details were deferred to future rulemaking by the dental board should the bill pass.

DHAW and allied dental hygienists mobilized quickly, urging constituents to contact legislators serving on the House Healthcare and Wellness Committee to express concerns related to public safety, educational rigor, and regulatory oversight. The bill did not advance out of committee, although it technically remained viable for consideration in 2026.

In 2026, Senate Bill 6146 revived the proposal. The legislation again sought to establish an OPA role and added a pathway for foreign-trained dentists to pursue dental-hygiene licensure.

When SB 6146 was scheduled for a hearing before the Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee, DHAW initiated a coordinated rapid response effort, encouraging dental hygienists and supporters statewide to register formal opposition for the legislative record. The reaction was immediate, and the bill was removed from the agenda within 48 hours.

As the February 4 cutoff for bills to be heard in committee passed, SB 6146 and HB 1680 were officially dead. These outcomes highlight the effectiveness of organized advocacy and the growing influence of dental hygienists with grassroots support.

Looking Forward

DHAW views these legislative outcomes not as endpoints, but as reminders that sustained professional advocacy remains essential. Proposals such as OPAs and other workforce models will not disappear.

DHAW will remain vigilant and sit at the table with policymakers and stakeholders as future legislation and workforce development strategies are considered. As the organization’s lobbyist continues to open doors in Olympia, dental hygienists are positioned to speak for themselves within their scope of expertise, ensuring their perspectives inform policy development.

Fundraising to enable year-round contracting of the organization’s lobbyist remains central and vital to this work. DHAW depends on broad professional support to promote equitable, long-term approaches to access while firmly opposing proposals that compromise quality, patient safety, or evidence-based practice.

Justice in Balance

The symbol of justice holding a scaler serves as a metaphor for the balance DHAW seeks to uphold: fairness, competence, and accountability in oral-health policy. DHAW invites every Washington dental hygienist to engage in these ongoing conversations. By staying informed, lending professional expertise, and participating in organized advocacy, dental hygienists can help shape policies that support accredited education, responsible workforce models, and patient-centered care.

Click here to read more. www.dhaofwa.com.