# 18 Va. Admin. Code § 60-21-60: 18VAC60-21-60. General responsibilities to patients

> Virginia · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_ADC_18_60_21_60

## Section

- **Citation:** 18 Va. Admin. Code § 60-21-60
- **Heading:** 18VAC60-21-60. General responsibilities to patients
- **Jurisdiction:** Virginia
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Virginia Administrative Code / Title 18 Professional And Occupational Licensing / Agency 60 Board of Dentistry / Chapter 21 / 18VAC60-21-60

## Text

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 or taking of digital scans 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.

## Nearby sections

- [18 Va. Admin. Code § 60-21-10 18VAC60-21-10. Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_ADC_18_60_21_10.md)
- [18 Va. Admin. Code § 60-21-20 18VAC60-21-20. Address of record](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_ADC_18_60_21_20.md)
- [18 Va. Admin. Code § 60-21-30 18VAC60-21-30. Posting requirements](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_ADC_18_60_21_30.md)
- [18 Va. Admin. Code § 60-21-40 18VAC60-21-40. Required fees](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_ADC_18_60_21_40.md)
- [18 Va. Admin. Code § 60-21-50 18VAC60-21-50. Scope of practice](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_ADC_18_60_21_50.md)
- [18 Va. Admin. Code § 60-21-55 18VAC60-21-55. Training requirements for administration of botulinum toxin injections for cosmetic purposes](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_ADC_18_60_21_55.md)
- [18 Va. Admin. Code § 60-21-60 18VAC60-21-60. General responsibilities to patients](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_ADC_18_60_21_60.md)
- [18 Va. Admin. Code § 60-21-70 18VAC60-21-70. Unprofessional practice](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_ADC_18_60_21_70.md)
- [18 Va. Admin. Code § 60-21-80 18VAC60-21-80. Advertising](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_ADC_18_60_21_80.md)
- [18 Va. Admin. Code § 60-21-90 18VAC60-21-90. Patient information and records](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_ADC_18_60_21_90.md)
- [18 Va. Admin. Code § 60-21-100 18VAC60-21-100. Reportable events during or following treatment or the administration of sedation or anesthesia](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_ADC_18_60_21_100.md)
- [18 Va. Admin. Code § 60-21-101 18VAC60-21-101. Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_ADC_18_60_21_101.md)
- [18 Va. Admin. Code § 60-21-102 18VAC60-21-102. Evaluation of the patient in prescribing for acute pain](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_ADC_18_60_21_102.md)
- [18 Va. Admin. Code § 60-21-103 18VAC60-21-103. Treatment of acute pain with opioids](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_ADC_18_60_21_103.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_ADC_18_60_21_60. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.