Board of Dentistry (Dentistry Licensing)

Processing Center Hours:
The DC Health Processing Center is open to the public Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9 am – 1 pm, and Wednesday, 9 am - 3:30 pm (except holidays).

Office Hours:
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:15 am - 4:45 pm (except holidays).

ALERTS

Term of License, Certificate, and Registration –

Effective June 16, 2024

DC Health is transitioning all professional licenses, certificates, and registrations to a birth‑month renewal cycle. All credentials issued on or after June 16, 2024, will expire on the last day of the holder’s birth month. This will also apply to renewing licensees beginning September 2024.

Your new expiration date will always fall on the last day of your birth month.
If your birthday is in an odd year, your future renewals will occur in odd years (and the same for even years).
Applies to all new and renewal applicants.

Continuing Education Adjustment During Transition

All Boards have approved acceptance of 50% of the Continuing Education (CE) requirements for licensees who have received less than two (2) years on their license term during this transition period. This applies only to this one‑time transition into the birth‑month renewal cycle. License holders are still responsible for the two (2) LGBTQ Cultural Competency and the 10% Public Health Priorities.

Public Notice: Public Health Priorities CEUs

2025 Public Notice Identifying Public Health Issues for Continuing Education Effective October 1, 2025

Incentivized Dental Assistant Registration Policy

To lawfully practice as a dental assistant in the District of Columbia, District of Columbia Code § 3-1205.1(a)(2), states that a registration is required. The District of Columbia Board of Dentistry (Board) may also take disciplinary action against a Licensee who aids an unauthorized person in practicing as a dental assistant in the District, pursuant to D.C. Code § 3-120514(a)(12). Beginning September 17, 2012, registration as a dental assistant in the District of Columbia was required by law for any person to practice as a dental assistant or perform any duties of a dental assistant in the District of Columbia.

The Board has elected to implement this policy to provide an incentivized option to encourage and facilitate unregistered individuals to come into compliance with District of Columbia law. This is not a grant of amnesty. Individuals who have engaged in unregistered practice will remain subject to a penalty as well as the Licensees who have aided in the unauthorized practice. However, those individuals who voluntarily come forward during this time period, pursuant to the parameters set forth in this policy, will receive a greatly reduced financial penalty.

For additional information please access the following link: Incentivized Dental Assistant Registration Policy

Health Professional Reporting Requirements

Any health professional, and any employer of a health professional, in the District of Columbia is required to timely report certain actions taken by or against the health professional to the appropriate board, commission, or authority within ten (10) business days. Additional information is located in the following link https://dcregs.dc.gov/Common/DCMR/RuleList.aspx?ChapterNum=22-B25

ALERT: PHONE SCAM

DC HEALTH has become aware of a PHISHING PHONE SCAM
in which individuals pose as DC Health representatives to request money.
Please be advised that DC Health representatives will never
contact you with a request for money.

FBI Warns Individuals Employed in the Health Care Industry
of the Ongoing Scam Involving the Impersonation of
Law Enforcement and Government Officials - FBI fbi.gov

Important Notice regarding Paper Applications:
DC Health No Longer Accepting Paper Applications (Beginning June 14, 2021)

ONLINE LICENSING APPLICATIONS

DC Health excited to announce the opening of our new online licensing system. Effective immediately, any healthcare provider who is interested in applying for a new health professional license, or to renew, reinstate, or reactivate an existing license, may do so by submitting an online application via the online licensing system. All users are strongly encouraged to review the instructions prior to beginning the process.

The DC Board of Dentistry regulates the practice of dentistry, dental hygiene and dental assistants in the District. The Board advises the Mayor and administers and enforces the law. The Board also evaluates qualifications, administers exams, and recommends standards and procedures. Moreover, the Board issues licenses, receives and reviews complaints, requests investigations, and conducts hearings.

The Board consists of seven DC residents appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the council: five licensed dentists, one licensed dental hygienist, and one consumer professional.

Hybrid Meeting Notice

The Board has a hybrid schedule of in-person and virtual meetings. In-person meetings will be held at 2201 Shannon Place SE, Washington DC 20020. Information on how to access the public portion of the meeting virtually will be listed on the posted Open Session Meeting Agenda.

The Board meeting dates: