Virginia Board adopts rules for digital scan technicians, corrects outdated regulatory references
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Summary
The Virginia Board of Dentistry unanimously adopted final-stage amendments to 18VAC60-21 to regulate training and supervision of digital scan technicians used in teledentistry and approved fast-track corrections to outdated cross-references in 18VAC60-25 and 18VAC60-30.
The Virginia Board of Dentistry voted unanimously Sept. 12 to adopt final-stage regulatory amendments to 18VAC60-21 governing training and supervision of digital scan technicians and to approve fast-track corrections to outdated regulatory references in 18VAC60-25 and 18VAC60-30.
The rules clarify that the term “digital scan technician” is defined in the Code of Virginia (54.1-2700) and is referenced in §54.1-2708.5, which states that “No person other than a dentist, dental hygienist, dental assistant I, dental assistant II, digital scan technician, or other person under the direction of a dentist shall obtain dental scans for use in the practice of dentistry.” Executive Director Jamie C. Sacksteder told the Board the regulation targets digital-scan services operating outside dental offices—such as some pharmacies and mall-based operations—where staff may lack appropriate training or oversight by a licensed dentist.
Agency Regulatory Coordinator Matthew Novak summarized draft changes and public comments, and described the proposal as implementing the Code-required training framework rather than creating a new scope-of-practice category to replace dental assistants. After discussion, J. Michael Martinez de Andino moved to adopt the final-stage amendments to 18VAC60-21; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously.
The Board also approved a fast-track amendment to 18VAC60-25 and 18VAC60-30 to remove and correct outdated internal regulatory references identified during the last periodic review. Dr. Alf Hendricksen moved to proceed with the fast-track corrections; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Board materials listed other regulatory items at various stages, including infection-control training (final stage), continuing-education jurisprudence requirements (NOIRA stage), and proposed training requirements for botulinum toxin injections for cosmetic purposes (proposed stage). The Board noted the digital scan regulation is intended to apply when digital scans are obtained for use in teledentistry consistent with §54.1-2708.5 and not to change tasks performed by dental assistants in dental offices.
The Board did not take further action on the other listed items at the Sept. 12 meeting. The adopted and fast-track regulatory actions will follow the standard publication and implementation steps required under the Administrative Process Act.