Before you can start a new dental practice, you must first meet various licensing requirements, including obtaining appropriate licenses from the state dental board. You may also need additional licenses or permits to start the business and open a dental office.

Understanding the Role of the State Dental Board

State dental boards oversee licensing for dentists, dental surgeons, hygienists, and other specialists in dental practice. The state boards can determine the lawful scope of practice for each type of dental professional, the requirements for obtaining a license (e.g., required education/training, licensing exams, etc.), and continuing education requirements for licensed professionals. The rules, requirements, and procedures for a dental licensing board will vary from state to state. As a result, dentists looking to open a new practice should refer to their state’s licensing board’s website to understand licensing requirements.

Steps to Obtain a Dental License

In most states, an individual who wishes to practice dentistry must follow several steps to obtain a license from the state dental board:

Meet educational requirements: Most states require licensees to have a degree from an accredited dental school.
Pass national board exams: States usually require applicants to have passed the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) or the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE) that replaced the NBDE.
Complete state clinical exams: States may have specific exams that license applicants must pass.
State legal and ethics tests: State dental boards may also require applicants to pass exams testing their knowledge of dental ethics and state-specific laws governing the practice of dentistry.
Background checks: State dental boards also conduct background checks on applicants by running their information or fingerprints through national databases to look for criminal records, domestic violence protection orders, sex offender registrations, or other factors that may affect an applicant’s suitability for licensure.
Completing and submitting application forms: Finally, an applicant must submit application forms to the state dental board and pay the applicable application fees.

Licensing for a New Dental Practice

Starting a new dental practice can also involve various licensing requirements, including:

Business registration and forming a new legal entity, such as an LLC, partnership, or professional corporation
Obtaining state and local licenses to open a dental office, including building code or zoning approvals, fire safety certificates, certificates of occupancy, or local business licenses.
Registering with the DEA and obtaining state prescribing licenses to administer controlled substances during treatments or dispense prescriptions
Compliance with OSHA workplace safety standards, HIPAA standards to protect patient records, and radiation safety standards if operating X-ray machines

Common Licensing Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some common mistakes dentists make as they pursue the dental board licensing process:

Assuming that one’s current licenses will cover practice in a specific state
Missing deadlines for state license renewals or not completing continuing education requirements
Failing to monitor staff members’ license statuses
Overlooking local business permits or licenses

Tips for a Smooth Licensing Process

Adhering to the following best practices can simplify the licensing process and expedite the opening of your new dental office:

Create a checklist tailored to the community where you intend to practice, which can cover both state and local licensing requirements.
Start the state dental board licensing process as early as possible, as the application process can take weeks or months.
Join state and local dental associations for guidance and networking.
Keep organized records that can help with license renewals or audits by state or local government agencies.
Work with an experienced attorney to guide you through all the licensing requirements you must meet to launch your new practice.

Contact a Dental Attorney Today

Are you preparing to launch a new dental practice? If so, an experienced attorney can help you navigate the state dental board licensing process. Contact Mahan Law today for an initial consultation with a knowledgeable dental attorney to learn more about what to expect when pursuing a license for your new dental practice.