The American Dental Association has a Code of Ethics in place for a reason. It is not simply an "opinion paper" that has been drafted to have language in place that suggest dentists have an option of adhering to. Is moral and ethical behavior an option?  At this point in time, unfortunately, it is.  With no legal grounds to stand on, ethical and legal acts have been put into two distinct categories.  In other words, I can choose to be unethical in dentistry, but still be perfectly within the construct of the law. The current rules and regulations of the Virginia Board of Dentistry allow this to take place with regards to fee splitting.  Why should the majority of dentists adhere to this Code of Ethics when a few receive a relative slap on the wrist for unethical behavior? This creates a divide within the dental community, when at this point in our profession we need to be doing everything we can to unite it.  Please pass the appropriate regulations eliminating these questions by making fee splitting illegal in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  This regulation should be written in terms which provide detailed examples as to what is determined to be illegal.