When searching for a dentist, patients often encounter the term “board certified” and wonder about practitioners who do not hold this credential. A dentist being “not board certified” is common and does not mean the individual is unqualified. Board certification represents a voluntary, advanced level of achievement that goes above and beyond the minimum legal requirements necessary to practice dentistry. This designation signifies a commitment to lifelong learning and a mastery of a specific body of knowledge, particularly for dental specialists.
Understanding Licensure Versus Certification
The foundational difference between licensure and certification is rooted in their legal standing and purpose. Licensure is a mandatory requirement granted by a state dental board, which is the legal authority that allows a dentist to practice in that state. To obtain a license, a candidate must graduate from a dental school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and pass both a national written examination, such as the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE), and a state or regional clinical assessment. This process establishes a baseline of minimum competency and verifies that the dentist has met the educational and clinical standards necessary for safe general practice.
Board certification, conversely, is a voluntary process administered by national specialty organizations or boards, not the state government. While licensure permits a dentist to perform a wide array of procedures, certification is an advanced layer of credentialing that verifies specialized knowledge and skill. It demonstrates that the dentist, often a specialist, has met rigorous standards established by their peers in a defined area of dentistry, acknowledging expertise beyond initial licensure requirements.
The Requirements for Board Certification
Achieving board certification is a multi-step process that often takes many years following dental school graduation. For a specialist, the path begins with successfully completing a CODA-accredited advanced education program, typically requiring two or more full-time academic years of residency training. This residency provides the intensive clinical and didactic education necessary to master the specialty, such as periodontics or oral surgery.
After the residency, the candidate must pass a series of comprehensive examinations, including a written portion followed by an oral examination administered by a panel of experts. These exams test theoretical knowledge, clinical judgment, and problem-solving skills in complex scenarios. To maintain Diplomate status, certified dentists must participate in a mandatory recertification program, which involves ongoing continuing education, performance reviews, and often a re-examination every eight to ten years.
Practice Scope of a Non-Certified Dentist
A licensed but not board certified dentist is fully authorized to practice general dentistry within the scope defined by their state license. For general dentists, the lack of board certification has virtually no impact on their legal ability to perform the vast majority of dental procedures, as their license grants the right to diagnose and treat patients according to state standards of care.
The lack of board certification becomes more relevant for dental specialists and in institutional settings. While a licensed specialist may legally practice their specialty without certification, the credential is often a prerequisite for professional opportunities. Board certification or active candidacy is routinely required for a specialist to obtain clinical privileges at hospitals or to hold academic positions at dental schools. Institutions often set eligibility criteria for staff membership that are higher than the state’s minimum licensing standards.
A specialist who is not board certified may find that the scope of procedures granted in a hospital setting is restricted compared to their certified peers. While not mandatory for private practice, certification is often the industry standard demonstrating competence for complex, specialized care and institutional affiliation.
Checking a Dentist’s Credentials
Patients can verify a dentist’s legal status and advanced credentials using public resources. To confirm a dentist is legally permitted to practice, the first step is to check the state’s dental board website, which is the definitive source for licensure verification. These public license lookups confirm if a license is current, active, and if any disciplinary actions have been taken against the practitioner.
To check for board certification, patients must consult the national specialty organizations. Certification status can be verified through the websites of recognized specialty boards, such as the American Board of Orthodontics or the American Board of Prosthodontics. These specialty boards maintain a public directory of their Diplomates, confirming the dentist has successfully completed the voluntary certification process.