In this episode, Ryan Dunn, CEO at the Virginia Dental Association (VDA), is joined by Paul Logan, the VDA’s Director of Strategic Initiatives. They discuss the VDA's focused advocacy efforts in anticipation of the 2026 General Assembly. Specifically, they highlight a 'three-legged stool' approach: advocating for increased budget for dental workforce programs, creating an expedited licensure path for internationally trained dentists to practice hygiene, and introducing a preventative assistant role to alleviate workforce shortages. The discussion emphasizes the complexity of dental workforce issues, the existing shortages, and the strategic initiatives required to address these problems. The episode also outlines upcoming legislative advocacy events and encourages VDA members to participate actively.
HOST: Ryan Dunn is the CEO of the Virginia Dental Association. Ryan has played major roles in four national and statewide Associations while also working on Capitol Hill. When he’s not talking all things dental, he’s talking about his family and baseball–and sometimes both at the same time.
GUEST: Paul Logan of the Virginia Dental Association. Paul focuses on member advocacy, developing resources for dental students and early-career dentists, and working with a broad range of stakeholders to address Virginia’s dental workforce needs. Paul currently serves on the executive committee of the Coalition for Modernizing Dental Licensure and the College Board of J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. Outside of work, he’s trying to keep up with his three- and six-year-old daughters.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
VDA 2026 Legislative Initiatives
EPISODE CREDITS
Producer: Paul Logan
Host: Ryan Dunn
Guest: Paul Logan
Post-Production/Editor: Shannon Jacobs
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Music in this episode from Epidemic Sound
