Dental License Lookup by State: Verify Dentist & Dental Hygienist Status

The primary purpose of licensing dentists and dental hygienists in the United States is to safeguard the public's health and welfare. State regulatory authorities, typically known as State Dental Boards, establish and enforce rigorous standards for education, clinical competency, and professional conduct. This ensures that only individuals who have demonstrated the requisite knowledge and skills, often through graduating from an accredited program and passing comprehensive national and regional examinations, are permitted to practice.

The importance of this licensure cannot be overstated, as the risks associated with unlicensed practitioners are severe. Unqualified individuals often lack the essential training in infection control, leading to a higher risk of transmitting infectious diseases like HIV or hepatitis. They are also prone to providing substandard care, which can result in complications such as nerve damage, permanent disfigurement, and the need for costly corrective procedures. Furthermore, patients have little legal recourse against an illegal operation.

To help consumers protect themselves, state regulatory authorities offer generally free-to-use license lookup tools on their websites. These simple online resources allow patients to quickly verify that their dental provider holds a current, active license and to check for any disciplinary actions, making it easy to confirm they are entrusting their oral health to a verified and accountable professional

Licensing requirements for dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants vary from State to State. To facilitate the verification of the license status of practitioners, most States provide Dental License Lookup web tools as detailed below. License lookup tools for other health practitioners can be found at Health License Lookup or, for lookup tools organized by State, at U.S. Medical License Lookup. For Canadian dental credentials, see Canadian Dental License Lookup. To confirm specialty certifications, see Board Certification Lookup.