{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/54.1-2718.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/54.1-2718.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/54.1-2718.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/54.1-2718.html"}],"law_id":368294,"edition_id":2,"section_id":368294,"structure_id":52491,"section_number":"54.1-2718","catch_line":"Practicing under firm or assumed name","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 54-184; 1970, c. 639; 1975, c. 479; 1988, c. 765; 1992, c. 574; 2004, c. 48; 2005, cc. 505, 587.","full_text":"A\n\nNo person shall practice, offer to practice, or hold himself out as practicing dentistry, under a name other than his own. This section shall not prohibit the practice of dentistry by a partnership under a firm name, or a licensed dentist from practicing dentistry as the employee of a licensed dentist, practicing under his own name or under a firm name, or as the employee of a professional corporation, or as a member, manager, employee, or agent of a professional limited liability company or as the employee of a dental clinic operated as specified in subsection A of § 54.1-2715.\n\nB\n\nA dentist, partnership, professional corporation, or professional limited liability company that owns a dental practice may adopt a trade name for that practice so long as the trade name meets the following requirements:\n\n1\n\nThe trade name incorporates one or more of the following: (i) a geographic location, e.g., to include, but not be limited to, a street name, shopping center, neighborhood, city, or county location; (ii) type of practice; or (iii) a derivative of the dentist’s name.\n\n2\n\nDerivatives of American Dental Association approved specialty board certifications may be used to describe the type of practice if one or more dentists in the practice are certified in the specialty or if the specialty name is accompanied by the conspicuous disclosure that services are provided by a general dentist in every advertising medium in which the trade name is used.\n\n3\n\nThe trade name is used in conjunction with either (i) the name of the dentist or (ii) the name of the partnership, professional corporation, or professional limited liability company that owns the practice. The owner’s name shall be conspicuously displayed along with the trade name used for the practice in all advertisements in any medium.\n\n4\n\nMarquee signage, web page addresses, and email addresses are not considered to be advertisements and may be limited to the trade name adopted for the practice.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1371338,"text":"No person shall practice, offer to practice, or hold himself out as practicing dentistry, under a name other than his own. This section shall not prohibit the practice of dentistry by a partnership under a firm name, or a licensed dentist from practicing dentistry as the employee of a licensed dentist, practicing under his own name or under a firm name, or as the employee of a professional corporation, or as a member, manager, employee, or agent of a professional limited liability company or as the employee of a dental clinic operated as specified in subsection A of § 54.1-2715.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":1371339,"text":"A dentist, partnership, professional corporation, or professional limited liability company that owns a dental practice may adopt a trade name for that practice so long as the trade name meets the following requirements:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":1371340,"text":"The trade name incorporates one or more of the following: (i) a geographic location, e.g., to include, but not be limited to, a street name, shopping center, neighborhood, city, or county location; (ii) type of practice; or (iii) a derivative of the dentist’s name.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":1371341,"text":"Derivatives of American Dental Association approved specialty board certifications may be used to describe the type of practice if one or more dentists in the practice are certified in the specialty or if the specialty name is accompanied by the conspicuous disclosure that services are provided by a general dentist in every advertising medium in which the trade name is used.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"4":{"id":1371342,"text":"The trade name is used in conjunction with either (i) the name of the dentist or (ii) the name of the partnership, professional corporation, or professional limited liability company that owns the practice. The owner’s name shall be conspicuously displayed along with the trade name used for the practice in all advertisements in any medium.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"B4"},"5":{"id":1371343,"text":"Marquee signage, web page addresses, and email addresses are not considered to be advertisements and may be limited to the trade name adopted for the practice.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"B4","prefix_anchor":"B4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B3"}},"ancestry":[{"id":52491,"edition_id":2,"name":"Licensure of Dentists","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":2,"parent_id":52489,"metadata":{"child_laws":23,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:59:39","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:35:03","permalink":{"id":1468587,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52491,"identifier":"2","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2","url":"\/54.1\/III\/27\/2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52489,"edition_id":2,"name":"Dentistry","identifier":"27","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":6,"parent_id":52479,"metadata":{"child_laws":47,"child_structures":5},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:59:38","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:35:02","permalink":{"id":1468531,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52489,"identifier":"27","token":"54.1\/III\/27","url":"\/54.1\/III\/27\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52479,"edition_id":2,"name":"Professions and Occupations Regulated by Boards Within the Department of Health Professions","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":3,"parent_id":52436,"metadata":{"child_laws":738,"child_structures":83},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:59:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:35:00","permalink":{"id":1468107,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52479,"identifier":"III","token":"54.1\/III","url":"\/54.1\/III\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52436,"edition_id":2,"name":"Professions and Occupations","identifier":"54.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":118,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":1282,"child_structures":163},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:58:52","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:34:51","permalink":{"id":1466315,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52436,"identifier":"54.1","token":"54.1","url":"\/54.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":368274,"structure_id":52491,"section_number":"54.1-2708.5","catch_line":"Digital scans for use in the practice of dentistry; practice of digital scan technicians","url":"\/54.1-2708.5\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2708.5","metadata":false},{"id":368281,"structure_id":52491,"section_number":"54.1-2709","catch_line":"License; application; qualifications; examinations","url":"\/54.1-2709\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2709","metadata":false},{"id":368276,"structure_id":52491,"section_number":"54.1-2709.1","catch_line":"Certain certification required","url":"\/54.1-2709.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2709.1","metadata":false},{"id":368277,"structure_id":52491,"section_number":"54.1-2709.2","catch_line":"Registration and certain data required","url":"\/54.1-2709.2\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2709.2","metadata":false},{"id":368278,"structure_id":52491,"section_number":"54.1-2709.3","catch_line":"Reports of disciplinary action against oral and maxillofacial surgeons; immunity from liability","url":"\/54.1-2709.3\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2709.3","metadata":false},{"id":368279,"structure_id":52491,"section_number":"54.1-2709.4","catch_line":"Further reporting requirements","url":"\/54.1-2709.4\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2709.4","metadata":false},{"id":368280,"structure_id":52491,"section_number":"54.1-2709.5","catch_line":"Permits for sedation and anesthesia required","url":"\/54.1-2709.5\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2709.5","metadata":false},{"id":368282,"structure_id":52491,"section_number":"54.1-2710","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/54.1-2710\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2710","metadata":false},{"id":368285,"structure_id":52491,"section_number":"54.1-2711","catch_line":"Practice of dentistry","url":"\/54.1-2711\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2711","metadata":false},{"id":368283,"structure_id":52491,"section_number":"54.1-2711.1","catch_line":"Temporary licenses to persons enrolled in advanced dental education programs; Board regulations","url":"\/54.1-2711.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2711.1","metadata":false},{"id":368284,"structure_id":52491,"section_number":"54.1-2711.2","catch_line":"Botulinum toxin injections","url":"\/54.1-2711.2\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2711.2","metadata":false},{"id":368287,"structure_id":52491,"section_number":"54.1-2712","catch_line":"Permissible practices","url":"\/54.1-2712\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2712","metadata":false},{"id":368286,"structure_id":52491,"section_number":"54.1-2712.1","catch_line":"Restricted volunteer license for certain dentists","url":"\/54.1-2712.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2712.1","metadata":false},{"id":368288,"structure_id":52491,"section_number":"54.1-2713","catch_line":"Licenses to teach dentistry; renewals","url":"\/54.1-2713\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2713","metadata":false},{"id":368290,"structure_id":52491,"section_number":"54.1-2714","catch_line":"Restricted licenses to teach dentistry for foreign dentists","url":"\/54.1-2714\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2714","metadata":false},{"id":368289,"structure_id":52491,"section_number":"54.1-2714.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/54.1-2714.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2714.1","metadata":false},{"id":368291,"structure_id":52491,"section_number":"54.1-2715","catch_line":"Temporary permits for certain clinicians","url":"\/54.1-2715\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2715","metadata":false},{"id":368292,"structure_id":52491,"section_number":"54.1-2716","catch_line":"Practicing in a commercial or mercantile establishment","url":"\/54.1-2716\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2716","metadata":false},{"id":368293,"structure_id":52491,"section_number":"54.1-2717","catch_line":"Practice of dentistry by professional business entities","url":"\/54.1-2717\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2717","metadata":false},{"id":368294,"structure_id":52491,"section_number":"54.1-2718","catch_line":"Practicing under firm or assumed name","url":"\/54.1-2718\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2718","metadata":false},{"id":368295,"structure_id":52491,"section_number":"54.1-2719","catch_line":"Persons engaged in construction and repair of appliances","url":"\/54.1-2719\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2719","metadata":false},{"id":368296,"structure_id":52491,"section_number":"54.1-2720","catch_line":"Display of name of practitioner","url":"\/54.1-2720\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2720","metadata":false},{"id":368297,"structure_id":52491,"section_number":"54.1-2721","catch_line":"Display of license","url":"\/54.1-2721\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2721","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":368293,"structure_id":52491,"section_number":"54.1-2717","catch_line":"Practice of dentistry by professional business entities","url":"\/54.1-2717\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2717","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":368295,"structure_id":52491,"section_number":"54.1-2719","catch_line":"Persons engaged in construction and repair of appliances","url":"\/54.1-2719\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2719","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/54.1-2718\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 6 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1970, chapter 639; in 1975, chapter 479; in 1988, chapter 765; in 1992, chapter 574; in 2004, chapter 48<\/a>; in 2005, chapters 505<\/a> and 587<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":368291,"section_number":"54.1-2715","catch_line":"Temporary permits for certain clinicians","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-2715\/"}],"permalink":{"id":1468665,"object_type":"law","relational_id":368294,"identifier":"54.1-2718","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2718","url":"\/54.1-2718\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/54.1-2718\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27\/2\/54.1-2718","dublin_core":{"Title":"Practicing under firm or assumed name","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 54.1-2718","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> No person shall practice, offer to practice, or hold himself out as practicing dentistry<\/span>, under a name other than his own. This section shall not prohibit the practice of dentistry<\/span> by a partnership under a firm name, or a licensed dentist<\/span> from practicing dentistry<\/span> as the employee of a licensed dentist<\/span>, practicing under his own name or under a firm name, or as the employee of a professional corporation, or as a member, manager, employee, or agent of a professional limited liability company or as the employee of a dental clinic operated as specified in subsection A of § 54.1-2715<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> A dentist<\/span>, partnership, professional corporation, or professional limited liability company that owns a dental practice may adopt a trade name for that practice so long as the trade name meets the following requirements: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> The trade name incorporates one or more of the following: (i) a geographic location, e.g., to include, but not be limited to, a street name, shopping center, neighborhood, city, or county location; (ii) type of practice; or (iii) a derivative of the dentist<\/span>’s name. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Derivatives of American Dental Association approved specialty board<\/span> certifications may be used to describe the type of practice if one or more dentists<\/span> in the practice are certified in the specialty or if the specialty name is accompanied by the conspicuous disclosure that services are provided by a general dentist<\/span> in every advertising medium in which the trade name is used. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> The trade name is used in conjunction with either (i) the name of the dentist<\/span> or (ii) the name of the partnership, professional corporation, or professional limited liability company that owns the practice. The owner’s name shall be conspicuously displayed along with the trade name used for the practice in all advertisements in any medium. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Marquee signage, web page addresses, and email addresses are not considered to be advertisements and may be limited to the trade name adopted for the practice. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPRACTICING UNDER FIRM OR ASSUMED NAME (\u00a7 54.1-2718)\n\nA. No person shall practice, offer to practice, or hold himself out as\npracticing dentistry, under a name other than his own. This section shall not\nprohibit the practice of dentistry by a partnership under a firm name, or a\nlicensed dentist from practicing dentistry as the employee of a licensed\ndentist, practicing under his own name or under a firm name, or as the employee\nof a professional corporation, or as a member, manager, employee, or agent of a\nprofessional limited liability company or as the employee of a dental clinic\noperated as specified in subsection A of § 54.1-2715.\n\nB. A dentist, partnership, professional corporation, or professional limited\nliability company that owns a dental practice may adopt a trade name for that\npractice so long as the trade name meets the following requirements:\n\n 1. The trade name incorporates one or more of the following: (i) a geographic\n location, e.g., to include, but not be limited to, a street name, shopping\n center, neighborhood, city, or county location; (ii) type of practice; or\n (iii) a derivative of the dentist’s name.\n\n 2. Derivatives of American Dental Association approved specialty board\n certifications may be used to describe the type of practice if one or more\n dentists in the practice are certified in the specialty or if the specialty\n name is accompanied by the conspicuous disclosure that services are provided\n by a general dentist in every advertising medium in which the trade name is\n used.\n\n 3. The trade name is used in conjunction with either (i) the name of the\n dentist or (ii) the name of the partnership, professional corporation, or\n professional limited liability company that owns the practice. The\n owner’s name shall be conspicuously displayed along with the trade name\n used for the practice in all advertisements in any medium.\n\n 4. Marquee signage, web page addresses, and email addresses are not considered\n to be advertisements and may be limited to the trade name adopted for the\n practice.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 54-184; 1970, c. 639; 1975, c. 479; 1988, c. 765; 1992,\nc. 574; 2004, c. 48; 2005, cc. 505, 587.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}