Interim executive officer reports staffing, strategic‑plan timeline and two new working groups

Interim Executive Officer Christy Bell reported several administrative updates to the Dental Assisting Council at its Aug. 14 meeting.

Bell said a state return‑to‑office requirement that had been set to take effect July 1, 2025, and require staff to be in the office four days a week, has been delayed to July 1, 2026; staff are continuing under their current telework schedules. She also reported the board currently has five vacant positions being actively recruited.

Strategic plan and stakeholder inputs

Bell said the board is preparing for a new strategic plan. An external stakeholder survey closed on June 23, 2025; meeting materials referenced 996 responses received and also said responses were "totaled to 56" in the draft environmental scan. The materials show the vendor SOLID is drafting an environmental scan to summarize stakeholder, board and staff input; Bell said council members should expect the environmental scan report by mid‑October ahead of a Nov. 5, 2025 strategic‑planning session. SOLID will work with board management in September on pre‑strategic‑planning activities.

Working groups and follow up

Bell said the council chair will appoint two working groups: one to review statutes and regulations related to the duties of registered dental assistants, and another to review statutes related to registered dental assistant in extended functions (RDAEF). "Please reach out to the chair or myself if you are interested," Bell said.

Ending: Bell closed by thanking staff for meeting processing performance and for work on the strategic‑plan materials. The council did not take formal action; members were invited to participate in working groups and upcoming planning sessions.