Laws and Regulations

Laws as of July 1, 2025

Selected sections of the Code of Virginia

• Laws Governing Dentistry & Dental Hygiene  (Chapter 27)
• Drug Laws for Practitioners

Regulations

Final Regulation - Regulations currently in effect for practitioners under the Board

• Petition for Rule-making - If you would like the Board to consider amending one of its regulations or rules, you may file a "petition for rule-making". The Board is required to publish your petition in the Virginia Register and post it online at www.townhall.virginia.gov to begin a 21-day comment period on the request. Within 90 days after the comment period or 14 days after its next scheduled meeting, the Board will issue a decision on whether it will grant or deny the petition. A copy of the petition form is provided. You may email the petition to the address below, fax it to the number on the form or mail it to the Board address.
• Regulations Governing the Disciplinary Process - effective 4/23/2026 
• Regulations Governing the Practice of Dentistry - effective 5/20/2026
  • CDC: Calculating Total Daily Dose of Opioids for Safer Dosage 
• Regulations Governing the Practice of Dental Hygiene - effective 10/24/2024 
• Regulations Governing the Practice of Dental Assistants - effective 10/24/2024
• Public Participation Guidelines - 12/15/2016

• Incorporated by Reference:  2016 ADA Guidelines for Teaching Pain Control and Sedation to Dentists and Dental Students
• Incorporated by Reference:Incorporated by Reference Protocol adopted by Virginia Department of Health (VDH) for Incorporated by Reference  under Remote Supervision by Public Health Dentists (May 24, 2019)
• Incorporated by Reference: Protocol for Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) Dental Hygienists to Practice in an Expanded Capacity under Remote Supervision by DBHDS Dentists (May 24, 2019)

Laws and Regulations Governing All Health Professions

• Laws and Regulations Governing All Health Professions

Emergency Regulations

Amended regulations in effect for 18 months

• There are no emergency regulations in effect at this time

Proposed Regulations

Amendments to regulations proposed by the Board

• All of the Board's proposed regulations can be found on the Townhall website.

Repealed Regulations 

• Repealed Regulations Governing Dental Practice - Repealed as of December 2, 2015

Regulatory Town Hall

The Virginia Department of Planning & Budget has designed a Regulatory Town Hall for anyone interested in the proposal of regulations or meetings of regulatory boards.