Virginia Dental Hygiene Refresher Program
A CODA-approved clinical refresher course for Virginia dental hygiene license reinstatement and reactivation, offered in partnership with Germanna Community College.
Your Accredited Path Back to Clinical Practice
IVirginia regulation 18VAC60-25-210 requires that dental hygienists seeking license reinstatement or reactivation complete a clinical, hands-on refresher program offered through a CODA-accredited program. This program meets that requirement directly. Offered by Next Level Dental Hygiene in partnership with Germanna Community College — a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program — the curriculum combines structured didactic instruction with supervised clinical practice, taught by Kelly Tanner, PhD, RDH. Whether your Virginia license has lapsed or you're relocating from another state, you'll graduate with the clinical confidence and the documentation the Virginia Board recognizes.
BEFORE YOU ENROLL This program is designed to satisfy Virginia regulation 18VAC60-25-210, which requires a clinical, hands-on refresher program offered through a CODA-accredited program for dental hygiene license reinstatement and reactivation. Because the regulation language and individual licensing situations vary, we strongly recommend verifying current requirements directly with the Virginia Board of Dentistry before enrolling. Our team is happy to discuss your specific situation on a discovery call.
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Key Features
Required 75% hands-on clinical practice
Offered in partnership with Germanna Community College, a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program
Designed to satisfy Virginia regulation 18VAC60-25-210 for license reinstatement and reactivation
Structured didactic and clinical modules with defined competencies
Hands-on supervised clinical practice
Hybrid format: virtual didactic + in-person clinical days in Fredericksburg, VA
Led by Kelly Tanner, PhD, RDH — academic program leader and 30+ year clinician
Certificate of completion at the end of th the program, satisfying the requirements of the Virginia Board of Dentistry
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Ideal For
Dental hygienists whose Virginia license has lapsed and need to reactivate
Out-of-state dental hygienists relocating to Virginia
US-trained hygienists pursuing Virginia licensure who need a refresher offered through a CODA-accredited program
Hygienists who want the rigor and structure of a formally accredited pathway
Clinicians who prefer a defined curriculum over fully customized 1:1 instruction
Not in Virginia? For general clinical refreshers and ADEX prep, see our 1:1 Customized Refresher Courses. For foreign-trained dentists, see our Refresher for Foreign-Trained Dentists.
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Our Offerings
Review of dental hygiene theory and practice
Periodontal assessment, probing, and charting
Hand and ultrasonic instrumentation, and therapeutic air polishing
Electronic records and utilizing AI workflow
Patient assessment, case planning, and case presentation
Infection control, OSHA, and chairside safety
Pharmacology and medical history review
Documentation, ethics, and the Virginia regulatory landscape
Supervised clinical practice with direct feedback
“This course rocked my world. If you're looking for something educational, dynamic, and deeply inspiring—buckle up. From the start, Dr. Kelly Tanner brought infectious energy and created a space that felt personal, powerful, and genuinely fun.
This wasn’t just content delivery—it was real-time connection, customized learning, and meaningful feedback that pushed me to think bigger and grow stronger. The mix of hands-on examples, engaging stories, and actionable insights made every concept click.
Bottom line? It changed how I think, lead, and show up. If you're ready for a course that feels more like a transformation than a class, this is it.”
-Tina V.
“I was nervous about returning to the dental hygiene field after a 7-year hiatus. Using a combination of an online webinar, face-to-face Zoom instruction, and in-person clinical training, Dr. Kelly Tanner crafted a dental hygiene refresher course that was custom to my needs and concerns. She is authentic, kind, and very knowledgeable. I feel ready and excited to start working in dental hygiene again. Thank you, Dr. Tanner!"
-Mikell B.
Why Learn from Dr. Tanner?
When you choose a refresher course, you deserve more than just a review—you deserve mentorship from someone who lives and breathes dental hygiene education. Dr. Kelly Tanner, PhD, RDH, brings unmatched expertise, insight, and passion to every customized learning experience. With over 29 years in the field, Dr. Tanner has trained thousands of professionals, led academic programs, consulted for major industry brands, and shaped the future of dental hygiene through leadership and innovation.
What Sets Dr. Tanner Apart:
Proven Academic Leadership
Served as Program Director, Clinical Coordinator, and faculty at multiple accredited institutions—Dr. Tanner has helped launch and lead dental hygiene programs, trained faculty, and overseen clinical curriculum at the highest level.Clinical Expertise with Real-World Perspective
With over 29 years in active practice, she understands the day-to-day challenges hygienists face—and how to elevate your skills in ways that feel doable and effective.Trusted Industry Consultant
Collaborates with top companies to deliver training on the most current techniques, tools, and technologies in dentistry.Published Thought Leader
Lead contributor for DrBicuspid and author in Teledentistry and Peak Performance, shaping national conversations around dental hygiene and professional growth.Award-Winning Educator
Honored with numerous accolades, including the ADHA & Johnson & Johnson Award for Excellence in Dental Hygiene, the Denobi Award, and recognition by Dentistry Today as a Top Dental Consultant for 5 years in a row.
FAQs
Here are answers to the most commonly asked questions regarding the one-on-one dental hygiene refresher program
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Discovery Call – We begin with a one-on-one call to identify your areas of focus and what you’d like to improve or revisit.
Personalized Learning Plan – You’ll provide a list of topics and techniques you want to cover, and I’ll design a plan tailored specifically for you.
Live Zoom Session – We’ll schedule a virtual learning session to cover the theory and didactic portion of your learning.
Hands-On Training Day – We’ll meet in Williamsburg, VA, for a full day (or two) of clinical instruction using a typodont or live patient—whichever best supports your learning objectives. We will also incorporate the latest technology and products into your dental hygiene process of care.
Hours are approved for AGD PACE credit
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Yes — this is the right place for ADEX preparation, and it's been the trusted choice for ADEX candidates since 2002. Because it's fully customized, we focus the clinical day on the exact skills assessed in the ADEX exam: instrumentation, periodontal assessment and probing depth verification, calculus detection and removal, and case presentation.
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It’s personalized, and I take your learning personally :). We work through what you want to focus on, and I bring my knowledge of contemporary applications and build on what you already know. No refresher is exactly the same and it prepares you to confidently step back into the workforce.
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Tuition is $3, 195 which includes AGD PACE continuing education credit for your learning. Payment plans are available.
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ItemFor ADEX-specific exam preparation, yes — this is the right place. For general dental hygiene clinical skill building, our Refresher for Foreign-Trained Dentists is designed specifically for your background. Schedule a discovery call and we can help you choose. description
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Limited refreshers are offered each year and they sell out quickly — please reach out as early as possible to discuss timing.
Course Structure
We customize the course based on your needs
Each hybrid course is a combination of online and in-person learning
In-person portion hosted in Williamsburg, VA
Tuition $3,195
(Payment plans available)