by Annette Lincicome, BS, RDH and Caryn Solie, RDH, FADHA
April 30, 2025

Nevada becomes the first state in 2025 to successfully defeat dental assistant scaling language at the state legislature.

Powerful change rarely stems from relying on loud rallies, social media, or creating new alliances that divide organizations during crucial times. Instead, it emerges from well laid out plans, influential communicators and leaders, multimedia platforms, purpose driven legislative agendas and policies that have been years in the making. Behind the scenes, countless hours of meetings, testimonies, and data collection unfold between dedicated lobbyists, volunteer leaders and lawmakers. This story is now four years in the making and is not over but hopefully will continue to inspire unity and action for all states.

The Nevada Dental Hygienists’ Association (NDHA) has worked diligently over the last six years to meet with the dental association to promote open and transparent communication on bill drafts and member needs, with a commitment to try to work together on any initiative that could support the industry, while realizing there are issues that we will be agreed on. In 2023, the associations worked together on an Expanded Functions Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene bill.¹ The dental hygiene association was successful in removing scaling language in the Expanded Functions Dental Assisting bill draft.

In early 2025, the dental association revealed their plans to pursue dental assistant scaling again. The NDHA made it clear they would never support that language due to significant concerns for the health and safety of the public, as well as the fact it would conflict with the ADHA interim policy on scaling.² Immediately after that discussion, the NDHA leaders set out to speak with the sponsor of the proposed bill in the Nevada Assembly—to express serious concerns for the public and the dental hygiene profession. What followed was a moment that turned the tide: the bill sponsor invited the NDHA into her office for a thoughtful and candid conversation about the bill’s intentions and implications.

The bill sponsor had been under the impression that the bill would help address the dental hygiene workforce shortage by easing licensure through endorsement. She was surprised to learn that the bill included expanding the scope of practice for Expanded Function Dental Auxiliaries (EFDAs) to include procedures like coronal scaling, which she had not intended and did not fully support. She asked the dental hygiene association for help in rewriting the bill to better align with its original intent. Together, they developed an amendment that removed language related to scaling and ultrasonics by dental assistants.

Shortly after sharing the amendment, state and national dental hygiene association leaders faced a fierce backlash. 

• A harsh email circulated from the dental association, accusing dental hygiene association leaders of unethical behavior.
• The dental association uninvited NDHA to Oral Health Day at the legislature.
• An inflammatory and inaccurate opinion piece was published by the dental association lobbyist in a state newspaper, misrepresenting dental hygiene education and skills, referring to dental hygiene instruments as just “toothpicks.”³

Three public health endorsed dental hygienists meet with NV State Senator Nguyen.

Despite the aggressive attempts by the dental association, the dental hygiene association resolve only strengthened. Each legislator assigned to the bill was given NDHA resources, including facts, data, and handouts detailing who is uniquely qualified to provide dental hygiene care and emphasizing the importance of education and licensure. For months leading up to the committee hearing and workshop, weekly and sometimes daily visits by dental hygiene association leaders were needed, resulting in long days on the road traveling to and from the state capital by state association volunteers.

NDHA members with NV State Senator Ira Hansen on Oral Health Day 2025.

The bill’s proponents presented a crisis and proposed a solution lacking scientific evidence or safety validation when introduced in committee. NDHA responded with clarity, professionalism, and data. Eight hygienists testified in opposition, including members of the NDHA Governmental Affairs Committee, educators, and clinicians. The record included verbal testimony from ADHA’s President Elect. The day after the committee hearing, dental hygiene association leaders returned to legislators’ offices, not with anger, but with gratitude—and with a detailed chart comparing the bill’s false claims with the facts. Legislators listened. They asked questions. And they understood.

NDHA leaders pose with Nevada State Senator and Senate District No. 13 Deputy Majority Whip Skip Daly.

As word spread about the bill—Assembly Bill 334 (AB334)—Nevada dental hygienists took swift and bold action. Social media lit up. Comments poured into the state’s official bill tracking system. Testimony was given, calls made, and voices raised. The NDHA provided resources, guidance, and support every step of the way. National voices joined in, including ADHA leadership, who urged hygienists to oppose the bill through every channel available.

The bill was successfully amended by removing the dental assistant scaling portion and passed the committee unanimously. A significant threat had been neutralized. On April 22, 2025, AB334, as amended, was read for the third time and passed the full Assembly with a unanimous vote of 42-0. Though the fight is not over—the Senate process is still to come—this is a major victory.

To mark the moment, the NDHA pivoted and held their own Oral Health Day. Forty dental hygienists and an entire senior class of dental hygiene students and faculty came together, meeting with lawmakers, sharing their stories, and educating leaders about the science, rigor, and impact of our work. It was a proud and powerful day that reminded us of why we do what we do.

Over 40 dental hygienists attended Oral Health Day at the Legislature in Carson City, NV:  clinicians, mobile practitioners, nonprofit founders, dental hygiene students and faculty, current and past association leaders from all across the state including Lancette VanGuilder, President-Elect of ADHA, Caryn Solie and Annette Lincicome, NDHA Governmental Affairs Committee, Hannah Lee, President of the Nevada Dental Hygienist Association, Angela Martin, President of the Southern Nevada Dental Hygienists Association, Lupe Lopez, President of the Northern Nevada Dental Hygienists Association.

This was a hard-fought battle—but it was also a testament to what is possible when we stand together, united under one association. Dental hygiene associations often face a better-funded, larger, and more influential opponent. In Nevada, dental hygienists had something stronger: preparation, purpose, unity, and a commitment to protecting the integrity of the profession and the safety of our patients. We are “Battle Born” and we keep fighting for what we believe in.

Now, we call on you. Prepare now, involve ADHA as early as possible, use all the resources at your disposal, start a membership drive, do not compromise or go neutral on important legislation and get comfortable being uncomfortable.

Stay informed. Stay involved. Speak up.

Whether you are a student, a new graduate, entrepreneur or a seasoned clinician, your voice matters. Join your professional association. Show up to legislative hearings. Talk to your representatives. Educate your community. We have seen what is possible when we unite. Let us keep that momentum going—for our patients, our profession, and the future of dental hygiene in Nevada and beyond.

Together, we are unstoppable.

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References

¹Nevada Passes Legislation Expanding Functions for Dental Assistants and Dental Hygienists.” Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. June 21, 2023. https://dimensionsofdentalhygiene.com/nevada-passes-legislation-expanding-functions-for-dental-assistants-and-dental-hygienists/.
²American Dental Hygienists’ Association. “Interim Policy on Scaling Procedures.” ADHA Newsroom, Interim Policies Approved October 2024. Accessed April 30, 2025. https://www.adha.org/newsroom/interim-policies-approved-october2024/.
³Klein, Paul. “Opinion: There’s a Dental Hygienist Shortage. Here’s One Change That Could Ease the Crunch.” The Nevada Independent, March 28, 2025. https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/opinion-theres-a-dental-hygienist-shortage-heres-one-change-that-could-ease-the-crunch.

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Annette Lincicome, BS, RDH serves on the Governmental Affairs Committee for the Nevada Dental Hygienists’ Association and is a former District XII Director for the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA). Over the course of her career, she has championed greater access to care, breaking down barriers and improving the oral health of thousands of teens as a public health endorsed dental hygienist in Las Vegas, Nevada. Since retirement, she resides in Sparks, Nevada.

Caryn Solie, RDH, FADHA serves as the chair of the Governmental Affairs Committee for the Nevada Dental Hygienists’ Association. She is a past president of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA), and dedicated her career to leadership and clinical practice and resides in Sparks, Nevada. Through her unwavering commitment to mentorship and advocacy, Caryn is leaving a lasting legacy that will inspire and empower future generations of dental hygiene professionals.