CHAPTER 439
An Act to amend and reenact § 54.1-2729.01 of the Code of Virginia, relating to dental assistants; supragingival scaling and coronal polishing; certification.
[H 970]
Approved April 8, 2026
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That § 54.1-2729.01 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 54.1-2729.01 . Practice of dental assistants.
A. A person who is employed to assist a licensed dentist or dental hygienist by performing duties not otherwise restricted to the practice of a dentist, dental hygienist, or dental assistant II, as prescribed in regulations promulgated by the Board may practice as a dental assistant I.
B. A person who (i) has met the educational and training requirements prescribed by the Board; (ii) holds a certification from a credentialing organization recognized by the American Dental Association; and (iii) has met any other qualifications for registration as prescribed in regulations promulgated by the Board may practice as a dental assistant II. A dental assistant II may perform duties not otherwise restricted to the practice of a dentist or dental hygienist under the direction of a licensed dentist that are reversible, intraoral procedures specified in regulations promulgated by the Board.
C. Notwithstanding subsections A and B, a dental assistant I or dental assistant II with a minimum of 1,800 hours of clinical experience may obtain certification to provide additional treatments pursuant to subsection D, provided that:
1. The dental assistant I or dental assistant II has undergone training and obtained certification (i) from a licensed dentist or licensed dental hygienist employed or engaged by a licensed dentist and implementing an education curriculum provided by a statewide association that is exempt under 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code and primarily represents dentists licensed in the Commonwealth, (ii) from a federal program approved by or associated with the Indian Health Service or while serving on active military duty, or (iii) from an existing dental assistant education program; and