{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/54.1-2712.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/54.1-2712.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/54.1-2712.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/54.1-2712.html"}],"law_id":56697,"edition_id":1,"section_id":56697,"structure_id":13008,"section_number":"54.1-2712","catch_line":"Permissible practices","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 54-147; 1970, c. 639; 1972, c. 805; 1975, c. 479; 1985, c. 373; 1988, c. 765; 1989, c. 131; 1994, c. 749; 2004, c. 754; 2005, cc. 505, 587; 2008, cc. 84, 264; 2012, cc. 20, 116.","full_text":"The following activities shall be permissible:\n\n1\n\nDental assistants or dental hygienists aiding or assisting licensed dentists, or dental assistants aiding or assisting dental hygienists under the general supervision of a dentist in accordance with regulations promulgated pursuant to § 54.1-2729.01;2\n\nThe performance of mechanical work on inanimate objects only, for licensed dentists, by any person employed in or operating a dental laboratory;3\n\nDental students who are enrolled in accredited D.D.S. or D.M.D. degree programs performing dental operations, under the direction of competent instructors (i) within a dental school or college, dental department of an institution of higher education, or other dental facility within an institution of higher education that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; (ii) in a dental clinic operated by a nonprofit organization providing indigent care; (iii) in governmental or indigent care clinics in which the student is assigned to practice during his final academic year rotations; (iv) in a private dental office for a limited time during the student’s final academic year when under the direct tutorial supervision of a licensed dentist holding appointment on the dental faculty of the school in which the student is enrolled; or (v) practicing dental hygiene in a private dental office under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist holding appointment on the dental faculty of the school in which the student is enrolled;4\n\nA licensed dentist from another state or country appearing as a clinician for demonstrating technical procedures before a dental society or organization, convention, or dental college, or performing his duties in connection with a specific case on which he may have been called to the Commonwealth;5\n\nDental hygiene students enrolled in an accredited dental hygiene program performing dental hygiene practices as a requisite of the program, under the direction of competent instructors, as defined by regulations of the Board of Dentistry, (i) within a dental hygiene program in a dental school or college, or department thereof, or other dental facility within an institution of higher education that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; (ii) in a dental clinic operated by a nonprofit organization providing indigent care; (iii) in a governmental or indigent care clinic in which the student is assigned to practice during his final academic year rotations; or (iv) in a private dental office for a limited time during the student’s final academic year when under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist or licensed dental hygienist holding appointment on the dental faculty of the school in which the student is enrolled; and6\n\nA graduate of an accredited dental program or a graduate of an accredited dental hygiene program engaging in clinical practice under the supervision of a licensed faculty member, but only while participating in a continuing education course offered by a dental program or dental hygiene program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":207471,"text":"The following activities shall be permissible:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":207472,"text":"Dental assistants or dental hygienists aiding or assisting licensed dentists, or dental assistants aiding or assisting dental hygienists under the general supervision of a dentist in accordance with regulations promulgated pursuant to § 54.1-2729.01;","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":207473,"text":"The performance of mechanical work on inanimate objects only, for licensed dentists, by any person employed in or operating a dental laboratory;","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":207474,"text":"Dental students who are enrolled in accredited D.D.S. or D.M.D. degree programs performing dental operations, under the direction of competent instructors (i) within a dental school or college, dental department of an institution of higher education, or other dental facility within an institution of higher education that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; (ii) in a dental clinic operated by a nonprofit organization providing indigent care; (iii) in governmental or indigent care clinics in which the student is assigned to practice during his final academic year rotations; (iv) in a private dental office for a limited time during the student’s final academic year when under the direct tutorial supervision of a licensed dentist holding appointment on the dental faculty of the school in which the student is enrolled; or (v) practicing dental hygiene in a private dental office under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist holding appointment on the dental faculty of the school in which the student is enrolled;","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":207475,"text":"A licensed dentist from another state or country appearing as a clinician for demonstrating technical procedures before a dental society or organization, convention, or dental college, or performing his duties in connection with a specific case on which he may have been called to the Commonwealth;","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":207476,"text":"Dental hygiene students enrolled in an accredited dental hygiene program performing dental hygiene practices as a requisite of the program, under the direction of competent instructors, as defined by regulations of the Board of Dentistry, (i) within a dental hygiene program in a dental school or college, or department thereof, or other dental facility within an institution of higher education that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; (ii) in a dental clinic operated by a nonprofit organization providing indigent care; (iii) in a governmental or indigent care clinic in which the student is assigned to practice during his final academic year rotations; or (iv) in a private dental office for a limited time during the student’s final academic year when under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist or licensed dental hygienist holding appointment on the dental faculty of the school in which the student is enrolled; and","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4","next_prefix":"6"},"6":{"id":207477,"text":"A graduate of an accredited dental program or a graduate of an accredited dental hygiene program engaging in clinical practice under the supervision of a licensed faculty member, but only while participating in a continuing education course offered by a dental program or dental hygiene program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.","type":"section","prefixes":["6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"6","prefix_anchor":"6","level":1,"prior_prefix":"5"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13008,"edition_id":1,"name":"Licensure of Dentists","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13007,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:08","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:08","permalink":{"id":241585,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13008,"identifier":"2","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2","url":"\/54.1\/III\/27\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13007,"edition_id":1,"name":"Dentistry","identifier":"27","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12758,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:08","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:08","permalink":{"id":241529,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13007,"identifier":"27","token":"54.1\/III\/27","url":"\/54.1\/III\/27\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12758,"edition_id":1,"name":"Professions and Occupations Regulated by Boards Within the Department of Health Professions","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12754,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":241105,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12758,"identifier":"III","token":"54.1\/III","url":"\/54.1\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12754,"edition_id":1,"name":"Professions and Occupations","identifier":"54.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":239313,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12754,"identifier":"54.1","token":"54.1","url":"\/54.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":81453,"structure_id":13008,"section_number":"54.1-2708.5","catch_line":"Digital scans for use in the practice of dentistry; practice of digital scan technicians","url":"\/54.1-2708.5\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2708.5","metadata":false},{"id":72802,"structure_id":13008,"section_number":"54.1-2709","catch_line":"License; application; qualifications; examinations","url":"\/54.1-2709\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2709","metadata":false},{"id":54080,"structure_id":13008,"section_number":"54.1-2709.1","catch_line":"Certain certification required","url":"\/54.1-2709.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2709.1","metadata":false},{"id":65702,"structure_id":13008,"section_number":"54.1-2709.2","catch_line":"Registration and certain data required","url":"\/54.1-2709.2\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2709.2","metadata":false},{"id":56758,"structure_id":13008,"section_number":"54.1-2709.3","catch_line":"Reports of disciplinary action against oral and maxillofacial surgeons; immunity from liability","url":"\/54.1-2709.3\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2709.3","metadata":false},{"id":70235,"structure_id":13008,"section_number":"54.1-2709.4","catch_line":"Further reporting requirements","url":"\/54.1-2709.4\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2709.4","metadata":false},{"id":68746,"structure_id":13008,"section_number":"54.1-2709.5","catch_line":"Permits for sedation and anesthesia required","url":"\/54.1-2709.5\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2709.5","metadata":false},{"id":59111,"structure_id":13008,"section_number":"54.1-2710","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/54.1-2710\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2710","metadata":false},{"id":76674,"structure_id":13008,"section_number":"54.1-2711","catch_line":"Practice of dentistry","url":"\/54.1-2711\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2711","metadata":false},{"id":55042,"structure_id":13008,"section_number":"54.1-2711.1","catch_line":"Temporary licenses to persons enrolled in advanced dental education programs; Board regulations","url":"\/54.1-2711.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2711.1","metadata":false},{"id":58279,"structure_id":13008,"section_number":"54.1-2711.2","catch_line":"Botulinum toxin injections","url":"\/54.1-2711.2\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2711.2","metadata":false},{"id":56697,"structure_id":13008,"section_number":"54.1-2712","catch_line":"Permissible practices","url":"\/54.1-2712\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2712","metadata":false},{"id":76081,"structure_id":13008,"section_number":"54.1-2712.1","catch_line":"Restricted volunteer license for certain dentists","url":"\/54.1-2712.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2712.1","metadata":false},{"id":67803,"structure_id":13008,"section_number":"54.1-2713","catch_line":"Licenses to teach dentistry; renewals","url":"\/54.1-2713\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2713","metadata":false},{"id":83705,"structure_id":13008,"section_number":"54.1-2714","catch_line":"Restricted licenses to teach dentistry for foreign dentists","url":"\/54.1-2714\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2714","metadata":false},{"id":71483,"structure_id":13008,"section_number":"54.1-2714.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/54.1-2714.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2714.1","metadata":false},{"id":59118,"structure_id":13008,"section_number":"54.1-2715","catch_line":"Temporary permits for certain clinicians","url":"\/54.1-2715\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2715","metadata":false},{"id":55702,"structure_id":13008,"section_number":"54.1-2716","catch_line":"Practicing in a commercial or mercantile establishment","url":"\/54.1-2716\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2716","metadata":false},{"id":82818,"structure_id":13008,"section_number":"54.1-2717","catch_line":"Practice of dentistry by professional business entities","url":"\/54.1-2717\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2717","metadata":false},{"id":64633,"structure_id":13008,"section_number":"54.1-2718","catch_line":"Practicing under firm or assumed name","url":"\/54.1-2718\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2718","metadata":false},{"id":54511,"structure_id":13008,"section_number":"54.1-2719","catch_line":"Persons engaged in construction and repair of appliances","url":"\/54.1-2719\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2719","metadata":false},{"id":66075,"structure_id":13008,"section_number":"54.1-2720","catch_line":"Display of name of practitioner","url":"\/54.1-2720\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2720","metadata":false},{"id":68611,"structure_id":13008,"section_number":"54.1-2721","catch_line":"Display of license","url":"\/54.1-2721\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2721","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":58279,"structure_id":13008,"section_number":"54.1-2711.2","catch_line":"Botulinum toxin injections","url":"\/54.1-2711.2\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2711.2","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":76081,"structure_id":13008,"section_number":"54.1-2712.1","catch_line":"Restricted volunteer license for certain dentists","url":"\/54.1-2712.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2712.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/54.1-2712\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 11 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1970, chapter 639; in 1972, chapter 805; in 1975, chapter 479; in 1985, chapter 373; in 1988, chapter 765; in 1989, chapter 131; in 1994, chapter 749<\/a>; in 2004, chapter 754<\/a>; in 2005, chapters 505<\/a> and 587<\/a>; in 2008, chapters 84<\/a> and 264<\/a>; in 2012, chapters 20<\/a> and 116<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":57274,"section_number":"54.1-2729.01","catch_line":"Practice of dental assistants","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-2729.01\/"}],"permalink":{"id":241631,"object_type":"law","relational_id":56697,"identifier":"54.1-2712","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2712","url":"\/54.1-2712\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/54.1-2712\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2712","dublin_core":{"Title":"Permissible practices","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 54.1-2712","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

The following activities shall be permissible:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Dental assistants or dental hygienists<\/span> aiding or assisting licensed dentists<\/span>, or dental assistants aiding or assisting dental hygienists<\/span> under the general supervision of a dentist<\/span> in accordance with regulations promulgated pursuant to § 54.1-2729.01<\/a>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The performance of mechanical work on inanimate objects<\/span> only, for licensed dentists<\/span>, by any person employed in or operating a dental laboratory; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Dental students who are enrolled in accredited D.D.S. or D.M.D. degree programs performing dental operations, under the direction of competent instructors (i) within a dental school or college, dental department of an institution of higher education, or other dental facility within an institution of higher education that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; (ii) in a dental clinic operated by a nonprofit organization providing indigent<\/span> care; (iii) in governmental or indigent<\/span> care clinics in which the student is assigned to practice during his final academic year rotations; (iv) in a private dental office for a limited time during the student’s final academic year when under the direct tutorial supervision of a licensed dentist<\/span> holding appointment on the dental faculty of the school in which the student is enrolled; or (v) practicing dental hygiene<\/span> in a private dental office under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist<\/span> holding appointment on the dental faculty of the school in which the student is enrolled; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> A licensed dentist<\/span> from another state or country appearing as a clinician for demonstrating technical procedures before a dental society or organization, convention, or dental college, or performing his duties in connection with a specific case on which he may have been called to the Commonwealth; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Dental hygiene<\/span> students enrolled in an accredited dental hygiene<\/span> program performing dental hygiene<\/span> practices as a requisite of the program, under the direction of competent instructors, as defined by regulations of the Board<\/span> of Dentistry<\/span>, (i) within a dental hygiene<\/span> program in a dental school or college, or department thereof, or other dental facility within an institution of higher education that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; (ii) in a dental clinic operated by a nonprofit organization providing indigent<\/span> care; (iii) in a governmental or indigent<\/span> care clinic in which the student is assigned to practice during his final academic year rotations; or (iv) in a private dental office for a limited time during the student’s final academic year when under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist<\/span> or licensed dental hygienist<\/span> holding appointment on the dental faculty of the school in which the student is enrolled; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> A graduate of an accredited dental program or a graduate of an accredited dental hygiene<\/span> program engaging in clinical practice under the supervision of a licensed faculty member, but only while participating in a continuing education course offered by a dental program or dental hygiene<\/span> program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPERMISSIBLE PRACTICES (\u00a7 54.1-2712)\n\nThe following activities shall be permissible:\n\n1. Dental assistants or dental hygienists aiding or assisting licensed dentists,\nor dental assistants aiding or assisting dental hygienists under the general\nsupervision of a dentist in accordance with regulations promulgated pursuant to\n§ 54.1-2729.01;\n\n2. The performance of mechanical work on inanimate objects only, for licensed\ndentists, by any person employed in or operating a dental laboratory;\n\n3. Dental students who are enrolled in accredited D.D.S. or D.M.D. degree\nprograms performing dental operations, under the direction of competent\ninstructors (i) within a dental school or college, dental department of an\ninstitution of higher education, or other dental facility within an institution\nof higher education that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by\nthe U.S. Department of Education; (ii) in a dental clinic operated by a\nnonprofit organization providing indigent care; (iii) in governmental or\nindigent care clinics in which the student is assigned to practice during his\nfinal academic year rotations; (iv) in a private dental office for a limited\ntime during the student’s final academic year when under the direct\ntutorial supervision of a licensed dentist holding appointment on the dental\nfaculty of the school in which the student is enrolled; or (v) practicing dental\nhygiene in a private dental office under the direct supervision of a licensed\ndentist holding appointment on the dental faculty of the school in which the\nstudent is enrolled;\n\n4. A licensed dentist from another state or country appearing as a clinician for\ndemonstrating technical procedures before a dental society or organization,\nconvention, or dental college, or performing his duties in connection with a\nspecific case on which he may have been called to the Commonwealth;\n\n5. Dental hygiene students enrolled in an accredited dental hygiene program\nperforming dental hygiene practices as a requisite of the program, under the\ndirection of competent instructors, as defined by regulations of the Board of\nDentistry, (i) within a dental hygiene program in a dental school or college, or\ndepartment thereof, or other dental facility within an institution of higher\neducation that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S.\nDepartment of Education; (ii) in a dental clinic operated by a nonprofit\norganization providing indigent care; (iii) in a governmental or indigent care\nclinic in which the student is assigned to practice during his final academic\nyear rotations; or (iv) in a private dental office for a limited time during the\nstudent’s final academic year when under the direct supervision of a\nlicensed dentist or licensed dental hygienist holding appointment on the dental\nfaculty of the school in which the student is enrolled; and\n\n6. A graduate of an accredited dental program or a graduate of an accredited\ndental hygiene program engaging in clinical practice under the supervision of a\nlicensed faculty member, but only while participating in a continuing education\ncourse offered by a dental program or dental hygiene program accredited by the\nCommission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 54-147; 1970, c. 639; 1972, c. 805; 1975, c. 479; 1985,\nc. 373; 1988, c. 765; 1989, c. 131; 1994, c. 749; 2004, c. 754; 2005, cc. 505,\n587; 2008, cc. 84, 264; 2012, cc. 20, 116.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}