Dental hygienists (DHs) play an important role in providing preventive oral health services. Recent changes in scope of practice, care delivery models, and technology have created new opportunities for DHs while also highlighting persistent barriers to workforce utilization and access to care, particularly in underserved communities.

This article examines how national dental hygiene leaders perceive the effects of regulatory changes, care delivery innovations, and technology on dental hygiene practice and identifies strategies to advance scope of practice. Findings highlight opportunities to strengthen dental hygiene autonomy, expand educational pathways, improve licensure portability, and increase Medicaid and direct reimbursement to DHs to support a more prevention-focused oral health system.