Episode 26 - The Drill, APRIL 2026

Episode 27 - The Drill, JUNE 2026

Send us a review. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2458132/fan_mail/new] SUMMARY: Ryan Dunn, CEO of the Virginia Dental Association, briefly discusses the 2026 General Assembly outcomes, noting that most workforce agenda bills were signed, while the budget (including community college hygiene program funding and Medicaid adult dental funding) remains unresolved and is being monitored. He outlines timelines for an expedited path for foreign-trained dentists to practice hygiene (Board of Dentistry action after July 1) and for dental assistants to perform supragingival scaling after completing VDA-offered training with a prerequisite of 1,800 clinical hours. He highlights the June 22 employment law updates webinar with Hancock & Daniel and the June 15 ADA Live webinar on contracts and coverage. The 2026 Virginia Dental Showcase is fast approaching, September 18–19 at the Omni Homestead, featuring CE and a financial course. 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. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: VIRGINIA IS CHANGING THE RULES: What Every Employer Needs to Know About Virginia's 2026-2028 Employment Law Updates [https://www.vadental.org/news-details/2026/05/28/virginia-is-changing-the-rules--what-every-employer-needs-to-know-about-virginia's-2026-2028-employment-law-updates] Live ADA seminars to tackle dentists’ biggest insurance issues [https://www.vadental.org/news-details/2026/05/19/live-ada-seminars-to-tackle-dentists--biggest-insurance-issues] 2026 Virginia Dental Showcase [https://www.vadental.org/showcase]  EPISODE CREDITS: Producer: Paul Logan Host: Ryan Dunn Post-Production/Editor: Shannon Jacobs Subscribe, share, and send your feedback and topic ideas to thefulcrumpodcast@vadental.org [thefulcrumpodcast@vadental.org]. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only, and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional, medical, or legal advice.  Music in this episode from Epidemic Sound

Episode 26 - The Drill, APRIL 2026

Send us a review. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2458132/fan_mail/new] SUMMARY: Ryan Dunn, CEO of the Virginia Dental Association, reviews updates across the VDA strategic plan. He highlights General Assembly outcomes and legislation effective July 1. He notes ongoing opposition to a proposed $2,000 annual cap on adult Medicaid dental benefits and describes participation in a two-year Dental Access Partnership to increase Medicaid provider participation. Dunn also promotes the VDA PAC, upcoming labor and employment webinar, free affiliate memberships for front-office team members, and the Virginia Dental Showcase Sept. 18–19 at the Omni Homestead with early-bird registration currently underway.  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. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: 2026 General Assembly Session Recap [https://www.vadental.org/news-details/2026/03/18/2026-general-assembly-session-review] Contribute to the VDA Political Action Committee (PAC) [https://www.vadental.org/vda-pac] VDA Affiliate Membership [https://www.vadental.org/affiliate-membership] 2026 Virginia Dental Showcase [https://www.vadental.org/showcase] EPISODE CREDITS: Producer: Paul Logan Host: Ryan Dunn Post-Production/Editor: Shannon Jacobs Subscribe, share, and send your feedback and topic ideas to thefulcrumpodcast@vadental.org [thefulcrumpodcast@vadental.org]. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only, and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional, medical, or legal advice.  Music in this episode from Epidemic Sound

Episode 25 – DOING BUSINESS IN VIRGINIA – CHANGES THAT COULD AFFECT YOUR PRACTICE

Send us a review. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2458132/fan_mail/new] SUMMARY: Ryan Dunn and Paul Logan of the Virginia Dental Association interview Keith Martin, interim president and CEO of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, about 2026 Virginia General Assembly developments affecting small businesses, including dental practices. Martin reviews numerous bills that could have an impact on the way you run your practice in Virginia. They cover proposed paid family and medical leave with employer/employee premiums starting in 2028, broad eligibility definitions, and potential stacking with federal FMLA. Chamber wins include defeating right-to-work repeal, and they note budget attention to childcare and housing. GUEST: Keith Martin serves as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. He leads the Chamber’s strategic direction, operations, and statewide partnerships. Martin previously served the Virginia Chamber from 2011 to 2024 as Executive Vice President of Public Policy and General Counsel, and as Executive Director of the Virginia Chamber Foundation. In these roles, he oversaw the Chamber’s advocacy and legislative agenda on behalf of Virginia’s business community and played a key role in developing the Chamber’s public policy recommendations, including major contributions to three editions of Blueprint Virginia, the Commonwealth’s long-term business plan for economic competitiveness. Most recently, Martin served as Director of Government Relations for Appalachian Power, where he managed legislative and regulatory affairs in Virginia and supported initiatives to advance energy reliability and economic growth across the region. A proud Hokie, Martin holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Virginia Tech and earned his Juris Doctor from Thomas Cooley Law School.  HOSTS: Ryan Dunn is the CEO of the Virginia Dental Association. Ryan has played major roles with four national and statewide associations while also spending time 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. 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 array of stakeholders to elevate and 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’s 2026 General Assembly Recap [https://www.vadental.org/news-details/2026/03/18/2026-general-assembly-session-review] Blueprint Virginia [https://vachamber.com/advocacy/blueprint-virginia/] Right-to-Work [https://vachamber.com/advocacy/right-to-work/] Virginia Chamber [https://vachamber.com/membership/join-us/] EPISODE CREDITS: Producer: Paul Logan Host: Ryan Dunn and Paul Logan Guest(s): Keith Martin Post-Production/Editor: Shannon Jacobs Subscribe, share, and send your feedback and topic ideas to thefulcrumpodcast@vadental.org [thefulcrumpodcast@vadental.org]. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only, and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional, medical, or legal advice.  Music in this episode from Epidemic Sound

Episode 24 – PEER REVIEW: ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE AND LEAST UNDERSTOOD MEMBER BENEFITS

Send us a review. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2458132/fan_mail/new] SUMMARY: Richmond dentist Dr. Bob Bigelow discusses the Virginia Dental Association’s peer review/patient mediation benefit. Bigelow, involved for about three years, explains how mediation can resolve many patient complaints before they reach the Board of Dentistry, reducing stress and time for dentists and patients. Common issues include clinical problems, missed appointments, and misunderstandings about insurance or collections.  GUEST: Dr. Robert W. Bigelow has been a tripartite member of the VDA for almost 17 years and owns a restorative dental practice in midtown Richmond. He enjoys collaborating with other VDA members to enhance patient care. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends. HOST: 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 array of stakeholders to elevate and 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 young daughters. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: VDA Peer Review - Additional Information: https://www.vadental.org/peer-review [https://www.vadental.org/peer-review] EPISODE CREDITS Producer: Paul Logan Host: Paul Logan Guests: Dr. Robert W. Bigelow Post-Production/Editor: Shannon Jacobs Subscribe, share, and send your feedback and topic ideas to thefulcrumpodcast@vadental.org [thefulcrumpodcast@vadental.org]. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only, and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional, medical, or legal advice.  Music in this episode from Epidemic Sound

Episode 23 - The Drill, MARCH 2026

Send us a review. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2458132/fan_mail/new] In this episode, Ryan Dunn reports that two workforce bills have passed the House and Senate and await the governor’s signature. The pending Virginia budget proposed a $2,000 annual cap on adult Medicaid dental benefits and opposes a late-session proposal to raise the medical malpractice cap from $2.7M to $6M, urging members to contact senators. Ryan highlights member-only peer review as a confidential, dentist-led dispute resolution option and promotes VDA Member Perks savings programs. With over 21 hours of CE programming, he announces the Virginia Dental Showcase at the Omni Homestead on September 18–19. 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. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: VDA Legislative Alert – Ask Senate to Oppose SB536 Doubling Medical Malpractice Cap [https://www.vadental.org/news-details/2026/03/10/ask-senate-to-oppose-sb536-doubling-medical-malpractice-cap] VDA Member Perks [https://www.vdamemberperks.com/] 2026 Virginia Dental Showcase [https://www.vadental.org/showcase] EPISODE CREDITS: Producer: Paul Logan Host: Ryan Dunn Post-Production/Editor: Shannon Jacobs Subscribe, share, and send your feedback and topic ideas to thefulcrumpodcast@vadental.org [thefulcrumpodcast@vadental.org]. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only, and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional, medical, or legal advice.  Music in this episode from Epidemic Sound