VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

• Code of Virginia
• Virginia Administrative Code
• Constitution of Virginia
• Charters
• Authorities
• Compacts
• Uncodified Acts
• RIS Users (account required)

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

• Bills & Resolutions
  session legislation
• Bill Summaries
  session summaries
• Reports to the General Assembly
  House and Senate documents
• Legislative Liaisons
  State agency contacts

ACROSS SESSIONS

• Subject Index: Since 1995
• Bills & Resolutions: Since 1994
• Summaries: Since 1994

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2002 SESSION

• history | hilite | pdf | print version

CHAPTER 170 An Act to amend and reenact § 54.1-2722 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the practice of dental hygiene. [S 503] Approved March 22, 2002

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 54.1-2722 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 54.1-2722. License; application; qualifications; practice of dental hygiene.

No person shall practice dental hygiene unless he possesses a valid license from the Board of Dentistry. The licensee shall have the right to practice dental hygiene in this Commonwealth for the period of his license as set by the Board, under the direction of any licensed dentist.

An application for such license shall be made to the Board in writing, and shall be accompanied by satisfactory proof that the applicant is of good moral character and a graduate of an accredited dental hygiene program approved by the Board and offered by an accredited institution of higher education.

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 which are educational, diagnostic, therapeutic, or preventive. These services shall not include the establishment of a final diagnosis or treatment plan for a dental patient. For 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.

The Board shall grant a license to practice dental hygiene to all eligible applicants whose performance on the examination is satisfactory as determined by the Board.

Examinations shall test the qualifications of the applicant to practice dental hygiene. Within thirty days of the examination, each applicant shall be notified of his performance.

The Board shall provide for an inactive license for those dental hygienists who have been fully licensed in the Commonwealth and do not wish to practice in Virginia. No person shall practice in Virginia unless he holds a current, active license. 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.

The Board shall promulgate regulations to be effective in 280 days or less of the enactment of this provision.

2. That the Board shall promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of this act to be effective within 280 days of its enactment.