State licensing boards for dentists create statutes and laws that dentists must abide by and understand. It also pays to keep up with the latest trends in these laws, so you ensure the safety and security of your practice and your employees. For example, many states are now enacting regulations regarding sexual misconduct in the dental workplace, regarding clients and staff. Staying current on the most up to date laws and regulations is necessary for a successful dental practice.

To find the current state dental licensing boards and their laws, look for:

1. Industry websites that offer comprehensive information on dental state licensing.

2. Legal experts who update and evaluate board of dentistry laws and regulations.

3. Boards and associations that help govern your state board of dental examiners.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Seek out dental industry websites that offer a wealth of information on your state board of dentistr

Many dentistry industry websites understand the need for up-to-date information on dentist state licensing boards and new laws and regulations. They often offer updates, articles, and links to specific state board of dental laws and new legislation. If you're interested in a particular element of dental law, look for industry websites in that area to find the laws you need to know.

I recommend: Sedation Consulting offers links to each state's sedation laws and regulations. Dental Care Universe offers a comprehensive list of regulatory issues facing dentists today.

Read up on legal issues regarding state licensing for dentists from legal experts in the area

Legal experts and dental experts often post their legal findings and analysis on dentist licensing board issues online. You can benefit from their expertise and avoid costly mistakes that could lead to losing your license or heavy fines. Look for lawyers who specialize in dental law, and analysis of your state's laws and regulations, including new legislative additions to existing laws.

I recommend: The National Conference of State Legislatures offers dental hygiene law updates categorized by state. The Journal of the American Dental Association offers information on sexual misconduct regulations regarding dentistry.

Join a professional dentistry organization that monitors state dentist licensing boards laws

Many national and local dentistry organizations monitor impending and popular legislation that may be affecting dental state boards. Joining these organizations and searching their websites can help keep you current on the laws in your state, and legislation you should be aware of and understand.

I recommend: The Academy of General Dentistry offers updates and insight on upcoming and potential legislation issues. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons offers a government affairs area that monitors legislation and regulation at the national and local levels.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't forget to stay on top of state licensing boards for dentists laws and regulations for your hygienists and assistants, too. Your dental hygiene state board can also change laws and regulations that you need to be aware of and that can affect your practice if you're not aware of them.

State licensing for dentists is regulated by your state's board of dentistry and required to be able to practice. Additionally, some of your staff may also need to fulfill the requirements of a dental hygiene licensing board. Many dentists often forget these dental state licensing requirements, and eventually face losing their license.

To protect your practice and prevent this from happening to you, consider these important things to know:

1. You can easily find details about the dental state boards where you practice by searching the Internet.
2. Once you know where to find the information, it is easy to learn the specific requirements of your state's dentist licensing board.
3. Your state may require your hygienists to be licensed under the regulations of a dental hygiene licensing board.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find your state's board of dentistry website

Navigating the Internet in search of government information can often be difficult. Usually the state board of dental examiners will make it easy to find the pertinent information you need, but there are a couple of other Internet resources that can also be of help in your search. Also, if you are thinking about relocating your practice to another state, it would be wise to check out the requirements of the other state dental licensing board before making any final decisions.

I recommend: Look at lists of state dental licensing boards throughout the country. Dental Watch, a website run by two dentists, offers links to all of the state dentist licensing boards. A more official source of information is the American Association of Dental Examiners which has a map with links to the state licensing boards for dentists, as well as contact details for their administrators and the attorneys for each individual board of dentistry.

Be familiar with the requirements of the state dental licensing boards in which you practice

Some states are rigorously regulated by their dental licensing boards while others may have less demanding regulations. To protect your license, and the licenses of your staff, know what your state requires, and what kind of support they offer dentists and other dental professionals to meet their requirements.

I recommend: Every state board of dental examiners differs in how they present information to their affiliates. For example, the Nevada State Board of Dental Examiners not only has all of their forms online in an interactive format, they also have handy links to legislation and news of interest to dentists, in addition to providing the ability to translate their web page into eight different languages. Whereas, the Missouri Division of Professional Registration website has less information, but it does provide all of the necessary forms needed for dentists to renew a license or to report continuing education credits.

Make sure hygienists are properly licensed by their state's dental hygiene licensing board

Be sure to know if your dental hygienists also need to be licensed so as not to jeopardize your practice. Most licensing information for hygienists can be found in the same place as the dental licensing board for your state. Specifically, look for a section of links to associated professions on the board of dentistry web page.

I recommend: If you have difficulty finding what you are looking for, check out the American Dental Hygienists' Association website to see if your state even has a dental hygiene licensing board, and to see what educational opportunities and support are available to your staff. If your hygienist happens to need further education, the American Dental Association provides a national board exam.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  After reviewing your state's board of dentistry website, if you still have unanswered questions or need further information, use the contact phone numbers and email addresses to get the answers or help you need.
• •  Dental state boards are available to help when it comes to licensing and other issues with your practice, so be sure to contact your state office and explore their solutions before a concern turns into a problem.

All of your years of education in the field of dentistry culminate when you take the licensing exam and your state’s licensing board gets your exam results. The board will then either grant or deny you a license to practice dentistry in your state. While it is important to check with your state’s licensing board for testing guidelines and requirements, there are actually groups of regional testing bodies that administer the test on behalf of state licensing boards. Here are some key terms to keep in mind.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

AADE

The AADE or the American Association of Dental Examiners is a group of state and regional dental licensing boards that acts as a forum to exchange information on regulations and laws pertaining to dentistry.

I recommend: The AASE website gives plenty of information on upcoming events, educational opportunities and available publications.

CODA

Commission on Dental Accreditation, also known as CODA, is a well-respected accreditation body that administers tests and exams that are required by some state licensing boards in order to be able to practice dentistry.

I recommend: Check out the CODA website for more information on things such as continuing education.

NERB

Instead of each state being responsible for administering the licensing exam, the NERB, or The North East Regional Board acts as a test administering authority for the North East region which includes the states of Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.

I recommend: When you are planning on taking the state dental licensing exam in one of these states, be sure to check out the NERB website ahead of time to keep abreast of current events.

CITA

The dental licensing boards of Alabama, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia all accept the results of the dental licensing exam administered by CITA, or the Council of Interstate Testing Agencies.

I recommend: For more information on the dental exam administered by CITA and whether or not your state licensing board for dentistry accepts the results of that test, check out their website.

SRTA

The SRTA or Southern Regional Testing Agency is another state licensing test administering authority. State dental licensing boards in the following states accept the results of dental exams administered by the SRTA: Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming.

I recommend: The information on the SRTA website may prove to be helpful when you are searching for information relating to state licensing boards for dentists.

WREB

Alaska, California, Idaho, Arizona, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah Washington Wyoming make up the WREB or the Western Regional Examining Board. The dental licensing boards in these states get together and decide the contents of their state licensing dental exams.

I recommend: Find this list of member dental boards and more information and the exams themselves on the WREB website.

Working with state licensing boards for dentists ensures your license stays renewed and your credentials current. Dental licensing boards exist to protect you and your patients. They also provide accountability for you and your practice. Collaborating with the board of dentistry can be done efficiently and simply.

Not renewing your license or renewing late can cost you money and time. There are fees due to state dental licensing boards for late renewals. If your license expires you will have to renew with your individual dentist licensing board. Expired renewals can involve back renewal fees, late fees and unwanted paperwork. Consider the following steps to assist you in a systematic and manageable reinstatement of your license.

1. Know your state dentist licensing boards requirements and guidelines.

2. Obtain continuing education as required throughout the year.

3. Meet dental state licensing target due dates.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Contact your state dental licensing boards

Acquire your state's licensing board requirements by phone or on their website. Each state has a different set of guidelines and regulations. You may be required to know CPR or BLS. How many hours of continuing education do you need? Some states require a sedation permit or completion of a health care survey. Dentists renewing for the first time are usually exempt from renewal as are disabled providers. The first step in completing your renewal is planning for it.

I recommend: Access your state dental licensing board by visiting Health Guide USA and the DEAnumber.com verification system website. The DEA number verification system has contact names, phone and fax numbers as well as mail and email addresses for each state board.

Complete your board of dentistry continuing education requirements intermittently

Don't wait until your renewal is due to start working on continuing education. Courses are offered at various times during the year. Find continuing education courses early and plan to attend the ones that work with your schedule. Make sure your courses are approved. Some states require 'patient care' centered courses verses courses involving other aspects of dentistry. Other states outline the required subject matter and quantity of each course required for renewal.

I recommend: Learn more about continuing education for dental state licensing by checking out WorldWide Learn and ADA Continuing Education online.

Submit all fees and required forms to your state dental licensing boards promptly

Be mindful of the date your renewal is due. Many states offer no grace periods. State licensing boards for dentists vary regarding dates available to renew, late penalties and reinstatement stipulations. Some states also give only one notice. Missing renewal dates will only burden you with late fees, more paperwork and a possible reinstatement.

I recommend: Review the Academy of General Dentistry. The Academy gives information regarding differing state licensing requirements and due dates. Consider joining the Academy as they offer assistance with licensing, advocacy and patient referrals. You may also want to appraise the American Association of Dental Examiners.