{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/54.1-2722.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/54.1-2722.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/54.1-2722.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/54.1-2722.html"}],"law_id":54903,"edition_id":1,"section_id":54903,"structure_id":13874,"section_number":"54.1-2722","catch_line":"License; application; qualifications; practice of dental hygiene; report","history":"1950, pp. 983-985, \u00a7\u00a7 54-200.2, 54-200.4, 54-200.7 through 54-200.9, 54-200.11; 1968, c. 604; 1970, c. 639; 1972, cc. 805, 824; 1973, c. 391; 1975, c. 479; 1976, c. 327; 1986, c. 178; 1988, c. 765; 1990, c. 441; 1997, c. 855; 2002, c. 170; 2005, cc. 505, 587; 2006, c. 858; 2007, c. 702; 2009, cc. 99, 506, 561; 2011, c. 289; 2012, c. 102; 2013, c. 240; 2016, c. 497; 2017, c. 410; 2019, cc. 86, 431; 2024, c. 295; 2025, c. 277.","full_text":"A\n\nNo person shall practice dental hygiene unless he possesses a current, active, and valid license from the Board of Dentistry. The licensee shall have the right to practice dental hygiene in the Commonwealth for the period of his license as set by the Board, under the direction of any licensed dentist.B\n\nAn application for such license shall be made to the Board in writing and shall be accompanied by satisfactory proof that the applicant (i) is of good moral character, (ii) is a graduate of a dental hygiene program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and offered by an accredited institution of higher education, (iii) has passed the dental hygiene examination given by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations, and (iv) has successfully completed a clinical examination acceptable to the Board.C\n\nThe Board may grant a license to practice dental hygiene to an applicant licensed to practice in another jurisdiction if he (i) meets the requirements of subsection B; (ii) holds a current, unrestricted license to practice dental hygiene in another jurisdiction in the United States; (iii) has not committed any act that would constitute grounds for denial as set forth in § 54.1-2706; and (iv) meets other qualifications as determined in regulations promulgated by the Board.D\n\nA licensed dental hygienist may, under the direction or general supervision of a licensed dentist and subject to the regulations of the Board, perform services that are educational, diagnostic, therapeutic, or preventive. These services shall not include the establishment of a final diagnosis or treatment plan for a dental patient. Pursuant to subsection W of § 54.1-3408, a licensed dental hygienist may administer topical oral fluorides under an oral or written order or a standing protocol issued by a dentist or a doctor of medicine or osteopathic medicine.\n\t\t\tA dentist may also authorize a dental hygienist under his direction to administer Schedule VI nitrous oxide and oxygen inhalation analgesia and, to persons 18 years of age or older, Schedule VI local anesthesia. In its regulations, the Board of Dentistry shall establish the education and training requirements for dental hygienists to administer such controlled substances under a dentist’s direction.\n\t\t\tFor the purposes of this section, “general supervision” means that a dentist has evaluated the patient and prescribed authorized services to be provided by a dental hygienist; however, the dentist need not be present in the facility while the authorized services are being provided.\n\t\t\tThe Board shall provide for an inactive license for those dental hygienists who hold a current, unrestricted license to practice in the Commonwealth at the time of application for an inactive license and who do not wish to practice in Virginia. The Board shall promulgate such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section, including requirements for remedial education to activate a license.E\n\nFor the purposes of this subsection, “remote supervision” means that a public health dentist has regular, periodic communications with a public health dental hygienist regarding patient treatment, but such dentist may not have conducted an initial examination of the patients who are to be seen and treated by the dental hygienist and may not be present with the dental hygienist when dental hygiene services are being provided.\n\t\t\tNotwithstanding any provision of law, a dental hygienist employed by the Virginia Department of Health or the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services who holds a license issued by the Board of Dentistry may provide educational and preventative dental care in the Commonwealth under the remote supervision of a dentist employed by the Department of Health or the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. A dental hygienist providing such services shall practice pursuant to protocols developed jointly by the Department of Health and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services for each agency, in consultation with the Virginia Dental Association and the Virginia Dental Hygienists’ Association. Such protocols shall be adopted by the Board as regulations.\n\t\t\tA report of services provided by dental hygienists employed by the Virginia Department of Health pursuant to such protocol, including their impact upon the oral health of the citizens of the Commonwealth, shall be prepared and submitted annually to the Secretary of Health and Human Resources by the Department of Health, and a report of services provided by dental hygienists employed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services shall be prepared and submitted annually to the Secretary of Health and Human Resources by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize or establish the independent practice of dental hygiene.F\n\nFor the purposes of this subsection, “remote supervision” means that a supervising dentist is accessible and available for communication and consultation with a dental hygienist during the delivery of dental hygiene services, but such dentist may not have conducted an initial examination of the patients who are to be seen and treated by the dental hygienist and may not be present with the dental hygienist when dental hygiene services are being provided.\n\t\t\tNotwithstanding any other provision of law, a dental hygienist may practice dental hygiene under the remote supervision of a dentist who holds an active license by the Board and who has a dental practice physically located in the Commonwealth. No dental hygienist shall practice under remote supervision unless he has (i) completed a continuing education course designed to develop the competencies needed to provide care under remote supervision offered by an accredited dental education program or from a continuing education provider approved by the Board and (ii) at least two years of clinical experience, consisting of at least 2,500 hours of clinical experience. A dental hygienist practicing under remote supervision shall have professional liability insurance with policy limits acceptable to the supervising dentist. A dental hygienist shall only practice under remote supervision at a federally qualified health center; charitable safety net facility; free clinic; long-term care facility; elementary or secondary school; Head Start program; mobile dentistry program for adults with developmental disabilities operated by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services’ Office of Integrated Health; or women, infants, and children (WIC) program.\n\t\t\tA dental hygienist practicing under remote supervision may (a) obtain a patient’s treatment history and consent, (b) perform an oral assessment, (c) perform scaling and polishing, (d) perform all educational and preventative services, (e) take X-rays as ordered by the supervising dentist or consistent with a standing order, (f) maintain appropriate documentation in the patient’s chart, (g) administer topical oral fluorides, topical oral anesthetics, topical and directly applied antimicrobial agents for treatment of periodontal pocket lesions, and any other Schedule VI topical drug approved by the Board of Dentistry under an oral or written order or a standing protocol issued by a dentist or a doctor of medicine or osteopathic medicine pursuant to subsection W of § 54.1-3408, and (h) perform any other service ordered by the supervising dentist or required by statute or Board regulation. No dental hygienist practicing under remote supervision shall administer local anesthetic or nitrous oxide.\n\t\t\tPrior to providing a patient dental hygiene services, a dental hygienist practicing under remote supervision shall obtain (1) the patient’s or the patient’s legal representative’s signature on a statement disclosing that the delivery of dental hygiene services under remote supervision is not a substitute for the need for regular dental examinations by a dentist and (2) verbal confirmation from the patient that he does not have a dentist of record whom he is seeing regularly.\n\t\t\tAfter conducting an initial oral assessment of a patient, a dental hygienist practicing under remote supervision may provide further dental hygiene services following a written practice protocol developed and provided by the supervising dentist. Such written practice protocol shall consider, at a minimum, the medical complexity of the patient and the presenting signs and symptoms of oral disease.\n\t\t\tA dental hygienist practicing under remote supervision shall inform the supervising dentist of all findings for a patient. A dental hygienist practicing under remote supervision may continue to treat a patient for 180 days. After such 180-day period, the supervising dentist, absent emergent circumstances, shall either conduct an examination of the patient or refer the patient to another dentist to conduct an examination. The supervising dentist shall develop a diagnosis and treatment plan for the patient, and either the supervising dentist or the dental hygienist shall provide the treatment plan to the patient. The supervising dentist shall review a patient’s records at least once every 10 months.\n\t\t\tNothing in this subsection shall prevent a dental hygienist from practicing dental hygiene under general supervision whether as an employee or as a volunteer.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":201414,"text":"No person shall practice dental hygiene unless he possesses a current, active, and valid license from the Board of Dentistry. The licensee shall have the right to practice dental hygiene in the Commonwealth for the period of his license as set by the Board, under the direction of any licensed dentist.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":201415,"text":"An application for such license shall be made to the Board in writing and shall be accompanied by satisfactory proof that the applicant (i) is of good moral character, (ii) is a graduate of a dental hygiene program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and offered by an accredited institution of higher education, (iii) has passed the dental hygiene examination given by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations, and (iv) has successfully completed a clinical examination acceptable to the Board.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":201416,"text":"The Board may grant a license to practice dental hygiene to an applicant licensed to practice in another jurisdiction if he (i) meets the requirements of subsection B; (ii) holds a current, unrestricted license to practice dental hygiene in another jurisdiction in the United States; (iii) has not committed any act that would constitute grounds for denial as set forth in § 54.1-2706; and (iv) meets other qualifications as determined in regulations promulgated by the Board.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":201417,"text":"A licensed dental hygienist may, under the direction or general supervision of a licensed dentist and subject to the regulations of the Board, perform services that are educational, diagnostic, therapeutic, or preventive. These services shall not include the establishment of a final diagnosis or treatment plan for a dental patient. Pursuant to subsection W of § 54.1-3408, a licensed dental hygienist may administer topical oral fluorides under an oral or written order or a standing protocol issued by a dentist or a doctor of medicine or osteopathic medicine.\n\t\t\tA dentist may also authorize a dental hygienist under his direction to administer Schedule VI nitrous oxide and oxygen inhalation analgesia and, to persons 18 years of age or older, Schedule VI local anesthesia. In its regulations, the Board of Dentistry shall establish the education and training requirements for dental hygienists to administer such controlled substances under a dentist’s direction.\n\t\t\tFor the purposes of this section, “general supervision” means that a dentist has evaluated the patient and prescribed authorized services to be provided by a dental hygienist; however, the dentist need not be present in the facility while the authorized services are being provided.\n\t\t\tThe Board shall provide for an inactive license for those dental hygienists who hold a current, unrestricted license to practice in the Commonwealth at the time of application for an inactive license and who do not wish to practice in Virginia. The Board shall promulgate such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section, including requirements for remedial education to activate a license.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":201418,"text":"For the purposes of this subsection, “remote supervision” means that a public health dentist has regular, periodic communications with a public health dental hygienist regarding patient treatment, but such dentist may not have conducted an initial examination of the patients who are to be seen and treated by the dental hygienist and may not be present with the dental hygienist when dental hygiene services are being provided.\n\t\t\tNotwithstanding any provision of law, a dental hygienist employed by the Virginia Department of Health or the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services who holds a license issued by the Board of Dentistry may provide educational and preventative dental care in the Commonwealth under the remote supervision of a dentist employed by the Department of Health or the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. A dental hygienist providing such services shall practice pursuant to protocols developed jointly by the Department of Health and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services for each agency, in consultation with the Virginia Dental Association and the Virginia Dental Hygienists’ Association. Such protocols shall be adopted by the Board as regulations.\n\t\t\tA report of services provided by dental hygienists employed by the Virginia Department of Health pursuant to such protocol, including their impact upon the oral health of the citizens of the Commonwealth, shall be prepared and submitted annually to the Secretary of Health and Human Resources by the Department of Health, and a report of services provided by dental hygienists employed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services shall be prepared and submitted annually to the Secretary of Health and Human Resources by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize or establish the independent practice of dental hygiene.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"5":{"id":201419,"text":"For the purposes of this subsection, “remote supervision” means that a supervising dentist is accessible and available for communication and consultation with a dental hygienist during the delivery of dental hygiene services, but such dentist may not have conducted an initial examination of the patients who are to be seen and treated by the dental hygienist and may not be present with the dental hygienist when dental hygiene services are being provided.\n\t\t\tNotwithstanding any other provision of law, a dental hygienist may practice dental hygiene under the remote supervision of a dentist who holds an active license by the Board and who has a dental practice physically located in the Commonwealth. No dental hygienist shall practice under remote supervision unless he has (i) completed a continuing education course designed to develop the competencies needed to provide care under remote supervision offered by an accredited dental education program or from a continuing education provider approved by the Board and (ii) at least two years of clinical experience, consisting of at least 2,500 hours of clinical experience. A dental hygienist practicing under remote supervision shall have professional liability insurance with policy limits acceptable to the supervising dentist. A dental hygienist shall only practice under remote supervision at a federally qualified health center; charitable safety net facility; free clinic; long-term care facility; elementary or secondary school; Head Start program; mobile dentistry program for adults with developmental disabilities operated by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services’ Office of Integrated Health; or women, infants, and children (WIC) program.\n\t\t\tA dental hygienist practicing under remote supervision may (a) obtain a patient’s treatment history and consent, (b) perform an oral assessment, (c) perform scaling and polishing, (d) perform all educational and preventative services, (e) take X-rays as ordered by the supervising dentist or consistent with a standing order, (f) maintain appropriate documentation in the patient’s chart, (g) administer topical oral fluorides, topical oral anesthetics, topical and directly applied antimicrobial agents for treatment of periodontal pocket lesions, and any other Schedule VI topical drug approved by the Board of Dentistry under an oral or written order or a standing protocol issued by a dentist or a doctor of medicine or osteopathic medicine pursuant to subsection W of § 54.1-3408, and (h) perform any other service ordered by the supervising dentist or required by statute or Board regulation. No dental hygienist practicing under remote supervision shall administer local anesthetic or nitrous oxide.\n\t\t\tPrior to providing a patient dental hygiene services, a dental hygienist practicing under remote supervision shall obtain (1) the patient’s or the patient’s legal representative’s signature on a statement disclosing that the delivery of dental hygiene services under remote supervision is not a substitute for the need for regular dental examinations by a dentist and (2) verbal confirmation from the patient that he does not have a dentist of record whom he is seeing regularly.\n\t\t\tAfter conducting an initial oral assessment of a patient, a dental hygienist practicing under remote supervision may provide further dental hygiene services following a written practice protocol developed and provided by the supervising dentist. Such written practice protocol shall consider, at a minimum, the medical complexity of the patient and the presenting signs and symptoms of oral disease.\n\t\t\tA dental hygienist practicing under remote supervision shall inform the supervising dentist of all findings for a patient. A dental hygienist practicing under remote supervision may continue to treat a patient for 180 days. After such 180-day period, the supervising dentist, absent emergent circumstances, shall either conduct an examination of the patient or refer the patient to another dentist to conduct an examination. The supervising dentist shall develop a diagnosis and treatment plan for the patient, and either the supervising dentist or the dental hygienist shall provide the treatment plan to the patient. The supervising dentist shall review a patient’s records at least once every 10 months.\n\t\t\tNothing in this subsection shall prevent a dental hygienist from practicing dental hygiene under general supervision whether as an employee or as a volunteer.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13874,"edition_id":1,"name":"Licensure of Dental Hygienists","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13007,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:08","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:08","permalink":{"id":241679,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13874,"identifier":"3","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/3","url":"\/54.1\/III\/27\/3\/","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":54903,"structure_id":13874,"section_number":"54.1-2722","catch_line":"License; application; qualifications; practice of dental hygiene; report","url":"\/54.1-2722\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/3\/54.1-2722","metadata":false},{"id":67938,"structure_id":13874,"section_number":"54.1-2723","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/54.1-2723\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/3\/54.1-2723","metadata":false},{"id":81380,"structure_id":13874,"section_number":"54.1-2724","catch_line":"Limitations on the employment of dental hygienists","url":"\/54.1-2724\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/3\/54.1-2724","metadata":false},{"id":71958,"structure_id":13874,"section_number":"54.1-2725","catch_line":"Faculty licenses to teach dental hygiene; renewals","url":"\/54.1-2725\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/3\/54.1-2725","metadata":false},{"id":86217,"structure_id":13874,"section_number":"54.1-2726","catch_line":"Temporary permits for certain hygienists","url":"\/54.1-2726\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/3\/54.1-2726","metadata":false},{"id":59262,"structure_id":13874,"section_number":"54.1-2726.1","catch_line":"Restricted volunteer license for certain dental hygienists","url":"\/54.1-2726.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/3\/54.1-2726.1","metadata":false},{"id":68908,"structure_id":13874,"section_number":"54.1-2727","catch_line":"Display of license","url":"\/54.1-2727\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/3\/54.1-2727","metadata":false},{"id":67945,"structure_id":13874,"section_number":"54.1-2728","catch_line":"Grounds for revocation or suspension","url":"\/54.1-2728\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/3\/54.1-2728","metadata":false},{"id":82978,"structure_id":13874,"section_number":"54.1-2729","catch_line":"Continuing education","url":"\/54.1-2729\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/3\/54.1-2729","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":67938,"structure_id":13874,"section_number":"54.1-2723","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/54.1-2723\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/3\/54.1-2723","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/54.1-2722\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 23 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 1968, chapter 604; in 1970, chapter 639; in 1972, chapters 805 and 824; in 1973, chapter 391; in 1975, chapter 479; in 1976, chapter 327; in 1986, chapter 178; in 1988, chapter 765; in 1990, chapter 441; in 1997, chapter 855<\/a>; in 2002, chapter 170<\/a>; in 2005, chapters 505<\/a> and 587<\/a>; in 2006, chapter 858<\/a>; in 2007, chapter 702<\/a>; in 2009, chapters 99<\/a>, 506<\/a>, and 561<\/a>; in 2011, chapter 289<\/a>; in 2012, chapter 102<\/a>; in 2013, chapter 240<\/a>; in 2016, chapter 497<\/a>; in 2017, chapter 410<\/a>; in 2019, chapters 86<\/a> and 431<\/a>; in 2024, chapter 295<\/a>; in 2025, chapter 277<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":77665,"section_number":"54.1-3408","catch_line":"Professional use by practitioners","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-3408\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":57563,"section_number":"54.1-2706","catch_line":"Revocation or suspension; other sanctions","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-2706\/"},{"id":77665,"section_number":"54.1-3408","catch_line":"Professional use by practitioners","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-3408\/"}],"permalink":{"id":241681,"object_type":"law","relational_id":54903,"identifier":"54.1-2722","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/3\/54.1-2722","url":"\/54.1-2722\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/54.1-2722\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/3\/54.1-2722","dublin_core":{"Title":"License; application; qualifications; practice of dental hygiene; report","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 54.1-2722","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> No person shall practice dental hygiene<\/span> unless he possesses a current, active, and valid license<\/span> from the Board<\/span> of Dentistry<\/span>. The licensee shall have the right to practice dental hygiene<\/span> in the Commonwealth for the period of his license<\/span> as set by the Board<\/span>, under the direction of any licensed dentist<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> An application for such license<\/span> shall be made to the Board<\/span> in writing and shall be accompanied by satisfactory proof that the applicant (i) is of good moral character, (ii) is a graduate of a dental hygiene<\/span> program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and offered by an accredited institution of higher education, (iii) has passed the dental hygiene<\/span> examination given by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations, and (iv) has successfully completed a clinical examination acceptable to the Board<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The Board<\/span> may grant a license<\/span> to practice dental hygiene<\/span> to an applicant licensed to practice in another jurisdiction<\/span> if he (i) meets the requirements of subsection B; (ii) holds a current, unrestricted license<\/span> to practice dental hygiene<\/span> in another jurisdiction<\/span> in the United States; (iii) has not committed any act that would constitute grounds for denial as set forth in § 54.1-2706<\/a>; and (iv) meets other qualifications as determined in regulations promulgated by the Board<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> A licensed dental hygienist<\/span> may, under the direction or general supervision<\/span> of a licensed dentist<\/span> and subject to the regulations of the Board<\/span>, perform services that are educational, diagnostic, therapeutic, or preventive. These services shall not include the establishment of a final diagnosis or treatment plan for a dental patient. Pursuant to subsection W of § 54.1-3408<\/a>, a licensed dental hygienist<\/span> may administer topical oral fluorides under an oral or written order<\/span> or a standing protocol issued by a dentist<\/span> or a doctor of medicine or osteopathic medicine.\n\t\t\tA dentist<\/span> may also authorize a dental hygienist<\/span> under his direction to administer Schedule VI nitrous oxide and oxygen inhalation analgesia and, to persons 18 years of age or older, Schedule VI local anesthesia. In its regulations, the Board<\/span> of Dentistry<\/span> shall establish the education and training requirements for dental hygienists<\/span> to administer such controlled substances under a dentist<\/span>’s direction.\n\t\t\tFor the purposes of this section, “general supervision<\/span>” means that a dentist<\/span> has evaluated the patient and prescribed authorized services to be provided by a dental hygienist<\/span>; however, the dentist<\/span> need not be present in the facility while the authorized services are being provided.\n\t\t\tThe Board<\/span> shall provide for an inactive license<\/span> for those dental hygienists<\/span> who hold a current, unrestricted license<\/span> to practice in the Commonwealth at the time of application for an inactive license<\/span> and who do not wish to practice in Virginia. The Board<\/span> shall promulgate such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section, including requirements for remedial education to activate a license<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> For the purposes of this subsection, “remote supervision<\/span>” means that a public health dentist<\/span> has regular, periodic communications with a public health dental hygienist<\/span> regarding patient treatment, but such dentist<\/span> may not have conducted an initial examination of the patients who are to be seen and treated by the dental hygienist<\/span> and may not be present with the dental hygienist<\/span> when dental hygiene<\/span> services are being provided.\n\t\t\tNotwithstanding any provision of law<\/span>, a dental hygienist<\/span> employed by the Virginia Department of Health or the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services who holds a license<\/span> issued by the Board<\/span> of Dentistry<\/span> may provide educational and preventative dental care in the Commonwealth under the remote supervision<\/span> of a dentist<\/span> employed by the Department of Health or the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. A dental hygienist<\/span> providing such services shall practice pursuant to protocols developed jointly by the Department of Health and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services for each agency, in consultation with the Virginia Dental Association and the Virginia Dental Hygienists<\/span>’ Association. Such protocols shall be adopted by the Board<\/span> as regulations.\n\t\t\tA report of services provided by dental hygienists<\/span> employed by the Virginia Department of Health pursuant to such protocol, including their impact upon the oral health of the citizens of the Commonwealth, shall be prepared and submitted annually to the Secretary of Health and Human Resources by the Department of Health, and a report of services provided by dental hygienists<\/span> employed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services shall be prepared and submitted annually to the Secretary of Health and Human Resources by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize or establish the independent practice of dental hygiene<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> For the purposes of this subsection, “remote supervision<\/span>” means that a supervising dentist<\/span> is accessible and available for communication and consultation with a dental hygienist<\/span> during the delivery of dental hygiene<\/span> services, but such dentist<\/span> may not have conducted an initial examination of the patients who are to be seen and treated by the dental hygienist<\/span> and may not be present with the dental hygienist<\/span> when dental hygiene<\/span> services are being provided.\n\t\t\tNotwithstanding any other provision of law<\/span>, a dental hygienist<\/span> may practice dental hygiene<\/span> under the remote supervision<\/span> of a dentist<\/span> who holds an active license<\/span> by the Board<\/span> and who has a dental practice physically located in the Commonwealth. No dental hygienist<\/span> shall practice under remote supervision<\/span> unless he has (i) completed a continuing education course designed to develop the competencies needed to provide care under remote supervision<\/span> offered by an accredited dental education program or from a continuing education provider approved by the Board<\/span> and (ii) at least two years of clinical experience, consisting of at least 2,500 hours of clinical experience. A dental hygienist<\/span> practicing under remote supervision<\/span> shall have professional liability insurance with policy limits acceptable to the supervising dentist<\/span>. A dental hygienist<\/span> shall only practice under remote supervision<\/span> at a federally qualified health center; charitable safety net facility; free clinic; long-term care facility; elementary or secondary school; Head Start program; mobile dentistry<\/span> program for adults with developmental disabilities operated by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services’ Office of Integrated Health; or women, infants, and children (WIC) program.\n\t\t\tA dental hygienist<\/span> practicing under remote supervision<\/span> may (a) obtain a patient’s treatment history and consent, (b) perform an oral assessment, (c) perform scaling and polishing, (d) perform all educational and preventative services, (e) take X-rays as ordered by the supervising dentist<\/span> or consistent with a standing order<\/span>, (f) maintain appropriate documentation in the patient’s chart, (g) administer topical oral fluorides, topical oral anesthetics, topical and directly applied antimicrobial agents for treatment of periodontal pocket lesions, and any other Schedule VI topical drug approved by the Board<\/span> of Dentistry<\/span> under an oral or written order<\/span> or a standing protocol issued by a dentist<\/span> or a doctor of medicine or osteopathic medicine pursuant to subsection W of § 54.1-3408<\/a>, and (h) perform any other service ordered by the supervising dentist<\/span> or required by statute<\/span> or Board<\/span> regulation. No dental hygienist<\/span> practicing under remote supervision<\/span> shall administer local anesthetic or nitrous oxide.\n\t\t\tPrior to providing a patient dental hygiene<\/span> services, a dental hygienist<\/span> practicing under remote supervision<\/span> shall obtain (1) the patient’s or the patient’s legal representative’s signature on a statement disclosing that the delivery of dental hygiene<\/span> services under remote supervision<\/span> is not a substitute for the need for regular dental examinations by a dentist<\/span> and (2) verbal confirmation from the patient that he does not have a dentist<\/span> of record whom he is seeing regularly.\n\t\t\tAfter conducting an initial oral assessment of a patient, a dental hygienist<\/span> practicing under remote supervision<\/span> may provide further dental hygiene<\/span> services following a written practice protocol developed and provided by the supervising dentist<\/span>. Such written practice protocol shall consider, at a minimum, the medical complexity of the patient and the presenting signs and symptoms of oral disease.\n\t\t\tA dental hygienist<\/span> practicing under remote supervision<\/span> shall inform the supervising dentist<\/span> of all findings<\/span> for a patient. A dental hygienist<\/span> practicing under remote supervision<\/span> may continue to treat a patient for 180 days. After such 180-day period, the supervising dentist<\/span>, absent emergent circumstances, shall either conduct an examination of the patient or refer the patient to another dentist<\/span> to conduct an examination. The supervising dentist<\/span> shall develop a diagnosis and treatment plan for the patient, and either the supervising dentist<\/span> or the dental hygienist<\/span> shall provide the treatment plan to the patient. The supervising dentist<\/span> shall review a patient’s records at least once every 10 months.\n\t\t\tNothing in this subsection shall prevent a dental hygienist<\/span> from practicing dental hygiene<\/span> under general supervision<\/span> whether as an employee or as a volunteer. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nLICENSE; APPLICATION; QUALIFICATIONS; PRACTICE OF DENTAL HYGIENE; REPORT (\u00a7\n54.1-2722)\n\nA. No person shall practice dental hygiene unless he possesses a current,\nactive, and valid license from the Board of Dentistry. The licensee shall have\nthe right to practice dental hygiene in the Commonwealth for the period of his\nlicense as set by the Board, under the direction of any licensed dentist.\n\nB. An application for such license shall be made to the Board in writing and\nshall be accompanied by satisfactory proof that the applicant (i) is of good\nmoral character, (ii) is a graduate of a dental hygiene program accredited by\nthe Commission on Dental Accreditation and offered by an accredited institution\nof higher education, (iii) has passed the dental hygiene examination given by\nthe Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations, and (iv) has successfully\ncompleted a clinical examination acceptable to the Board.\n\nC. The Board may grant a license to practice dental hygiene to an applicant\nlicensed to practice in another jurisdiction if he (i) meets the requirements of\nsubsection B; (ii) holds a current, unrestricted license to practice dental\nhygiene in another jurisdiction in the United States; (iii) has not committed\nany act that would constitute grounds for denial as set forth in §\n54.1-2706; and (iv) meets other qualifications as determined in regulations\npromulgated by the Board.\n\nD. A licensed dental hygienist may, under the direction or general supervision\nof a licensed dentist and subject to the regulations of the Board, perform\nservices that are educational, diagnostic, therapeutic, or preventive. These\nservices shall not include the establishment of a final diagnosis or treatment\nplan for a dental patient. Pursuant to subsection W of § 54.1-3408, a\nlicensed dental hygienist may administer topical oral fluorides under an oral or\nwritten order or a standing protocol issued by a dentist or a doctor of medicine\nor osteopathic medicine.\n\t\t\tA dentist may also authorize a dental hygienist under his direction to\nadminister Schedule VI nitrous oxide and oxygen inhalation analgesia and, to\npersons 18 years of age or older, Schedule VI local anesthesia. In its\nregulations, the Board of Dentistry shall establish the education and training\nrequirements for dental hygienists to administer such controlled substances\nunder a dentist’s direction.\n\t\t\tFor the purposes of this section, “general supervision” means\nthat a dentist has evaluated the patient and prescribed authorized services to\nbe provided by a dental hygienist; however, the dentist need not be present in\nthe facility while the authorized services are being provided.\n\t\t\tThe Board shall provide for an inactive license for those dental hygienists\nwho hold a current, unrestricted license to practice in the Commonwealth at the\ntime of application for an inactive license and who do not wish to practice in\nVirginia. The Board shall promulgate such regulations as may be necessary to\ncarry out the provisions of this section, including requirements for remedial\neducation to activate a license.\n\nE. For the purposes of this subsection, “remote supervision” means\nthat a public health dentist has regular, periodic communications with a public\nhealth dental hygienist regarding patient treatment, but such dentist may not\nhave conducted an initial examination of the patients who are to be seen and\ntreated by the dental hygienist and may not be present with the dental hygienist\nwhen dental hygiene services are being provided.\n\t\t\tNotwithstanding any provision of law, a dental hygienist employed by the\nVirginia Department of Health or the Department of Behavioral Health and\nDevelopmental Services who holds a license issued by the Board of Dentistry may\nprovide educational and preventative dental care in the Commonwealth under the\nremote supervision of a dentist employed by the Department of Health or the\nDepartment of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. A dental hygienist\nproviding such services shall practice pursuant to protocols developed jointly\nby the Department of Health and the Department of Behavioral Health and\nDevelopmental Services for each agency, in consultation with the Virginia Dental\nAssociation and the Virginia Dental Hygienists’ Association. Such\nprotocols shall be adopted by the Board as regulations.\n\t\t\tA report of services provided by dental hygienists employed by the Virginia\nDepartment of Health pursuant to such protocol, including their impact upon the\noral health of the citizens of the Commonwealth, shall be prepared and submitted\nannually to the Secretary of Health and Human Resources by the Department of\nHealth, and a report of services provided by dental hygienists employed by the\nDepartment of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services shall be prepared and\nsubmitted annually to the Secretary of Health and Human Resources by the\nDepartment of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. Nothing in this\nsection shall be construed to authorize or establish the independent practice of\ndental hygiene.\n\nF. For the purposes of this subsection, “remote supervision” means\nthat a supervising dentist is accessible and available for communication and\nconsultation with a dental hygienist during the delivery of dental hygiene\nservices, but such dentist may not have conducted an initial examination of the\npatients who are to be seen and treated by the dental hygienist and may not be\npresent with the dental hygienist when dental hygiene services are being\nprovided.\n\t\t\tNotwithstanding any other provision of law, a dental hygienist may practice\ndental hygiene under the remote supervision of a dentist who holds an active\nlicense by the Board and who has a dental practice physically located in the\nCommonwealth. No dental hygienist shall practice under remote supervision unless\nhe has (i) completed a continuing education course designed to develop the\ncompetencies needed to provide care under remote supervision offered by an\naccredited dental education program or from a continuing education provider\napproved by the Board and (ii) at least two years of clinical experience,\nconsisting of at least 2,500 hours of clinical experience. A dental hygienist\npracticing under remote supervision shall have professional liability insurance\nwith policy limits acceptable to the supervising dentist. A dental hygienist\nshall only practice under remote supervision at a federally qualified health\ncenter; charitable safety net facility; free clinic; long-term care facility;\nelementary or secondary school; Head Start program; mobile dentistry program for\nadults with developmental disabilities operated by the Department of Behavioral\nHealth and Developmental Services’ Office of Integrated Health; or women,\ninfants, and children (WIC) program.\n\t\t\tA dental hygienist practicing under remote supervision may (a) obtain a\npatient’s treatment history and consent, (b) perform an oral assessment,\n(c) perform scaling and polishing, (d) perform all educational and preventative\nservices, (e) take X-rays as ordered by the supervising dentist or consistent\nwith a standing order, (f) maintain appropriate documentation in the\npatient’s chart, (g) administer topical oral fluorides, topical oral\nanesthetics, topical and directly applied antimicrobial agents for treatment of\nperiodontal pocket lesions, and any other Schedule VI topical drug approved by\nthe Board of Dentistry under an oral or written order or a standing protocol\nissued by a dentist or a doctor of medicine or osteopathic medicine pursuant to\nsubsection W of § 54.1-3408, and (h) perform any other service ordered by\nthe supervising dentist or required by statute or Board regulation. No dental\nhygienist practicing under remote supervision shall administer local anesthetic\nor nitrous oxide.\n\t\t\tPrior to providing a patient dental hygiene services, a dental hygienist\npracticing under remote supervision shall obtain (1) the patient’s or the\npatient’s legal representative’s signature on a statement disclosing\nthat the delivery of dental hygiene services under remote supervision is not a\nsubstitute for the need for regular dental examinations by a dentist and (2)\nverbal confirmation from the patient that he does not have a dentist of record\nwhom he is seeing regularly.\n\t\t\tAfter conducting an initial oral assessment of a patient, a dental hygienist\npracticing under remote supervision may provide further dental hygiene services\nfollowing a written practice protocol developed and provided by the supervising\ndentist. Such written practice protocol shall consider, at a minimum, the\nmedical complexity of the patient and the presenting signs and symptoms of oral\ndisease.\n\t\t\tA dental hygienist practicing under remote supervision shall inform the\nsupervising dentist of all findings for a patient. A dental hygienist practicing\nunder remote supervision may continue to treat a patient for 180 days. After\nsuch 180-day period, the supervising dentist, absent emergent circumstances,\nshall either conduct an examination of the patient or refer the patient to\nanother dentist to conduct an examination. The supervising dentist shall develop\na diagnosis and treatment plan for the patient, and either the supervising\ndentist or the dental hygienist shall provide the treatment plan to the patient.\nThe supervising dentist shall review a patient’s records at least once\nevery 10 months.\n\t\t\tNothing in this subsection shall prevent a dental hygienist from practicing\ndental hygiene under general supervision whether as an employee or as a\nvolunteer.\n\nHISTORY: 1950, pp. 983-985, \u00a7\u00a7 54-200.2, 54-200.4, 54-200.7 through 54-200.9,\n54-200.11; 1968, c. 604; 1970, c. 639; 1972, cc. 805, 824; 1973, c. 391; 1975,\nc. 479; 1976, c. 327; 1986, c. 178; 1988, c. 765; 1990, c. 441; 1997, c. 855;\n2002, c. 170; 2005, cc. 505, 587; 2006, c. 858; 2007, c. 702; 2009, cc. 99, 506,\n561; 2011, c. 289; 2012, c. 102; 2013, c. 240; 2016, c. 497; 2017, c. 410; 2019,\ncc. 86, 431; 2024, c. 295; 2025, c. 277.","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}}