Healthcare License
How to Verify a Dentist's License
Dental licenses are issued by state dental boards. There is no single national database — verification goes through the state board in the state of practice. Here is the complete process for verifying dentist and dental specialist credentials.
Quick answer
Verify through the state dental board in the state where the dentist is licensed — all states have free public license lookups. For dentists prescribing or handling controlled substances, also verify DEA registration at deadiversion.usdoj.gov. Run an OIG exclusion check for any Medicaid-participating role. For specialist credentials (oral surgery, orthodontics, etc.), verify ADA specialty board certification separately.
Dental license types
| License Type | Description | Verification |
|---|---|---|
| General Dentist (DDS/DMD) | General dental practice license | State dental board |
| Dental Specialist | Orthodontist, oral surgeon, periodontist, endodontist, etc. | State dental board + ADA specialty board |
| Dental Hygienist | Licensed to perform dental hygiene procedures under dentist supervision | State dental board (hygienist section) |
| Dental Anesthesia Permit | Separate permit for administering general anesthesia or IV sedation | State dental board (permits section) |
Step 1: State dental board lookup
The primary verification source is the state board of dentistry (also called board of dental examiners, dental quality assurance board, or similar). All states provide free public license lookup tools.
Key state dental board portals
- California: Dental Board of California — dbc.ca.gov
- Texas: State Board of Dental Examiners — tsbde.texas.gov
- Florida: FL DBPR (Board of Dentistry) — myfloridalicense.com
- New York: NYS Office of the Professions — op.nysed.gov/verification
- All states: ADA licensure information — ada.org/licensure
A license lookup returns: license status, license number, expiration date, license type, and any public disciplinary actions including reprimands, suspensions, and revocations.
Step 2: DEA registration
Dentists who prescribe or administer controlled substances — including Schedule IV benzodiazepines for sedation and Schedule II opioids for pain management — must hold a current DEA registration.
Verify DEA registration at deadiversion.usdoj.gov. Confirm the registration is current, the name matches, and the authorized schedules cover the drugs the dentist uses in practice. A dentist administering oral sedation or general anesthesia without a current DEA registration and state permit is practicing outside their authorization.
Specialty board certification
The ADA recognizes 12 dental specialties. Specialists who hold board certification from their specialty's certifying board demonstrate additional expertise. Common specialty boards include:
- ABOMS (American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery)
- ABO (American Board of Orthodontics)
- ABOP (American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology)
- ABPD (American Board of Pediatric Dentistry)
- ABP (American Board of Periodontology)
- ABE (American Board of Endodontology)
Specialty board certifications are voluntary — a specialist may hold a valid state license without being board certified. Verify board certification directly with the relevant ADA specialty board if the credential is claimed.
OIG exclusion check
For dental practices participating in Medicaid (CHIP, state dental Medicaid), check the HHS OIG exclusion list at oig.hhs.gov/exclusions. An excluded dentist cannot be employed by or have a financial relationship with any Medicaid-participating facility or practice. Dental Medicaid fraud is one of the most actively prosecuted areas of healthcare fraud enforcement.
Verify dental school accreditation
State dental boards require graduation from a CODA-accredited dental school. Use VerifyED to confirm that a claimed DDS or DMD degree comes from a legitimate, accredited institution.
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