VirginiaSB1782026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Dental assistants; supragingival scaling and coronal polishing, certification.

Sponsored By: Mamie E. Locke (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Dental assistants; additional treatments; certification. Permits any dental assistant I or dental assistant II with a minimum of 1,800 hours of clinical experience to obtain certification pursuant to the requirements of the bill to perform supragingival scaling and coronal polishing. This bill is identical to HB 970.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Two levels and new duties for dental assistants

The law creates two roles: dental assistant I and dental assistant II. The Board of Dentistry sets the exact tasks each role may do. A dental assistant II must meet Board education and training rules and hold an ADA‑recognized certification, plus any other Board registration steps. A dental assistant II may do reversible mouth procedures under a dentist’s direction. A dental assistant I may do tasks not reserved to a dentist, hygienist, or assistant II.

Certified assistants can scale and polish teeth

A dental assistant I or II with at least 1,800 clinical hours can get certified to do more care. Training must come from one of these: a dentist or hygienist using a statewide 501(c)(6) dentists’ group curriculum; a federal, Indian Health Service, or active‑duty military program; or an existing dental assistant education program. A dentist must certify under oath that training is complete and that at least 20 supervised full‑mouth supragingival scalings were done with patient consent. After certification, and under a dentist’s indirect supervision, the assistant may do supragingival scaling with hand and ultrasonic scalers and coronal polishing. The dentist must keep written or electronic proof and show it to the Board if asked. A dentist may not indirectly supervise more than two assistants at the same time during these procedures.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Mamie E. Locke

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 190 • No: 22

House vote 2/24/2026

Passed House

Yes: 80 • No: 18

House vote 2/19/2026

Reported from Health and Human Services

Yes: 17 • No: 4

Senate vote 2/10/2026

Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/9/2026

Education and Health Substitute agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/6/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/6/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/5/2026

Reported from Education and Health with substitute

Yes: 14 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0440)

    4/8/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 440 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/8/2026Governor
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/10/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

    3/10/2026Senate
  5. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB178)

    2/26/2026Senate
  6. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB178ER)

    2/26/2026Senate
  7. Enrolled

    2/26/2026Senate
  8. Signed by President

    2/26/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    2/26/2026House
  10. Passed House (80-Y 18-N 0-A)

    2/24/2026House
  11. Read third time

    2/24/2026House
  12. Read second time

    2/23/2026House
  13. Reported from Health and Human Services (17-Y 4-N)

    2/19/2026House
  14. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB178)

    2/17/2026Senate
  15. Read first time

    2/13/2026House
  16. Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services

    2/13/2026House
  17. Placed on Calendar

    2/13/2026House
  18. Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/10/2026Senate
  19. Education and Health Substitute agreed to

    2/9/2026Senate
  20. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/9/2026Senate
  21. Read second time

    2/9/2026Senate
  22. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/6/2026Senate
  23. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/6/2026Senate
  24. Passed by for the day

    2/6/2026Senate
  25. Rules suspended

    2/6/2026Senate

Bill Text

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