NJDHA, along with our lobbyist and members of the State Board of Dentistry, are working very hard and making great strides to expand our scope of practice to include local anesthesia administration by dental hygienists. In late January 2007, our lobbyist, Paul Bent, along with Russ Bent and NJDHA President/Legislative chair Lauren Jaccodine, met with members at the Division of Consumer Affairs to discuss this issue. At the March 7, 2007 Board of Dentistry meeting, the proposed regulations were presented and the Board has voted to move forward. We are waiting for the proposed regulations to be listed in The Register, where it will sit for 60 days for public comment. Any letters of support should be sent to the Board of Dentistry.