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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 18. Professional And Occupational Licensing
Agency 60. Board of Dentistry
Chapter 21. Regulations Governing the Practice of Dentistry
12/26/2024

18VAC60-21-60. General responsibilities to patients.

A. A dentist is responsible for conducting a dentistry practice in a manner that safeguards the safety, health, and welfare of patients and the public by:

1. Maintaining a safe and sanitary practice.

2. Consulting with or referring patients to other practitioners with specialized knowledge, skills, and experience when needed to safeguard and advance the health of the patient.

3. Treating according to the patient's desires only to the extent that such treatment is within the bounds of accepted treatment and only after the patient has been given a treatment recommendation and an explanation of the acceptable alternatives.

4. Only delegating patient care and exposure of dental x-rays to qualified, properly trained and supervised personnel as authorized in Part IV (18VAC60-21-110 et seq.) of this chapter.

5. Giving patients at least 30 days written notice of a decision to terminate the dentist-patient relationship.

6. Knowing the signs of abuse and neglect and reporting suspected cases to the proper authorities consistent with state law.

7. Accurately representing to a patient and the public the materials or methods and techniques to be used in treatment.

B. A dentist is responsible for conducting financial responsibilities to patients and third-party payers in an ethical and honest manner by:

1. Providing customary fees and representing all fees being charged clearly and accurately.

2. Not exploiting the dentist-patient relationship for personal gain related to nondental transactions.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 5, eff. December 2, 2015; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.

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