The Virginia Board of Dentistry has finished its periodic review of the regulations governing the practice of dentistry, dental hygiene and dental assisting, which was initiated in 2022. The Board has now adopted amendments to delete outdated, redundant, or duplicative provisions and clarify others consistent with current practice. 

The final regulations, in effect October 24, 2024, are available here: https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Dentistry/PractitionerResources/LawsRegulations/

The latest markup that shows the changes from previous regulations is available here:

https://townhall.virginia.gov/L/ViewXML.cfm?textid=18667

Also of note, the Board of Dentistry passed new requirements effective October 9, 2024 around patient counseling prior to prescribing opioids and requirements that the counseling be documented in the patient’s medical record. Full text:

https://townhall.virginia.gov/L/ViewXML.cfm?textid=18658

The Board encourages dentists in Virginia to review these updates in full to ensure that your practice remains compliant.