Virginia Code 54.1-2716: Practicing in a commercial or mercantile establishment
It shall be unlawful for any dentist to practice his profession in a commercial or mercantile establishment, or to advertise, either in person or through any commercial or mercantile establishment, that he is a licensed practitioner and is practicing or will practice dentistry in such commercial or mercantile establishment. This section shall not prohibit the rendering of professional services to the officers and employees of any person, firm or corporation by a dentist, whether or not the compensation for such service is paid by the officers and employees, or by the employer, or jointly by all or any of them. Any dentist who violates any of the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Attorney's Note
Under the Virginia Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 misdemeanor | up to 12 months | up to $2,500 |
Terms Used In Virginia Code 54.1-2716
- Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
- Dentist: means a person who has been awarded a degree in and is licensed by the Board to practice dentistry. See Virginia Code 54.1-2700
- Dentistry: means the evaluation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment, through surgical, nonsurgical, or related procedures, of diseases, disorders, and conditions of the oral cavity and the maxillofacial, adjacent, and associated structures and their impact on the human body. See Virginia Code 54.1-2700
- Person: includes any individual, corporation, partnership, association, cooperative, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, government, political subdivision, or any other legal or commercial entity and any successor, representative, agent, agency, or instrumentality thereof. See Virginia Code 1-230
For the purposes of this section, the term “commercial or mercantile establishment” means a business enterprise engaged in the selling of commodities or services unrelated to the practice of dentistry or the other healing arts.
Code 1950, § 54-147.1; 1988, c. 765.