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Virginia Board of Dentistry Seeks Comment on Limiting Scope of Practice for Dental Assistant IIs

Sep 4, 2025

The Virginia Board of Dentistry is seeking public comment on a Notice of Intended Regulatory Action (NOIRA) to remove pulp capping under the supervision of a licensed dentist from the tasks that can be delegated to a Dental Assistant II. For the past fifteen years, since the creation of the DAII in Virginia, pulp capping has been part of the scope of practice and educational curriculum offered in those programs. 

A public hearing on the proposed regulatory action will take place on September 12 at 9:05 a.m. at the Virginia Board of Dentistry.

https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Dentistry/AbouttheBoard/MeetingCalendar/

Written comments can be submitted to the Executive Director of the Virginia Board of Dentistry, Jamie Sacksteder, at jamie.sacksteder@dhp.virginia.gov

Additional background on the proposal can be found in the minutes of the Board of Dentistry’s Regulatory Legislative Committee meeting on October 23, 2020. 

https://townhall.virginia.gov/L/GetFile.cfm?File=Meeting\21\29914\Minutes_DHP_29914_v3.pdf

BOD Meeting Excerpt

And the Board of Dentistry’s March 21, 2021 business meeting:

https://townhall.virginia.gov/L/GetFile.cfm?File=Meeting\21\31854\Minutes_DHP_31854_v2.pdf

Excerpt 2