How to learn about your dentist's license is valid
You can check whether your dentist holds a current, valid license by searching your state's dental board website. Each state maintains a public registry of licensed dentists, and most boards let you search by name or license number. If you search and find no active license, or if you see a note that the license has been revoked, suspended, or surrendered, that dentist is not legally permitted to practice dentistry in your state.
The dental board's website also typically shows whether any complaints or disciplinary actions are on file. This information is public record. If you received treatment from a dentist whose license was revoked at the time of treatment, that treatment was performed illegally, and you have grounds to take action.
If you are unsure how to search your state's dental board, call the board directly and give them the dentist's name. They can tell you the license status over the phone and may mail or email you a copy of the public record.
Key Takeaways
- You can verify your dentist's license status for free through your state dental board's public registry, usually available online or by phone.
- Treatment performed by a dentist without a valid license may be grounds for a refund, compensation for harm, or both.
- Report the unlicensed treatment to your state dental board, your state attorney general, and your dental insurance company.
- Keep all records related to the treatment—receipts, bills, clinical notes, X-rays, and any communication with the dentist—because you will need them to file a complaint or pursue a claim.
- Consult a personal injury attorney if you suffered harm from the treatment, because you may have a right to sue for damages.
Steps to take if you received treatment from a revoked-license dentist
First, gather and organize all documents related to your treatment. This includes the receipt or invoice, any clinical notes or treatment plans the dentist gave you, X-rays or imaging, photographs of your teeth before and after, and any written communication with the dentist's office. If you paid by credit card or check, keep that record too.
Next, see another dentist for an examination. Ask this dentist to document in writing whether the previous treatment was done correctly, whether it caused harm, and what repair or follow-up care you now need. This written assessment is crucial evidence if you later file a complaint or pursue compensation.
Report the unlicensed treatment to three places: your state dental board (file a formal complaint), your state attorney general's office (consumer protection division), and your dental insurance company if you have one. Each agency has a different role—the dental board investigates the dentist, the attorney general protects consumers, and your insurance may cover the cost of corrective treatment.
Filing a complaint with your state dental board
Your state dental board accepts complaints from patients. You can usually file online, by mail, or by phone. The complaint form asks you to describe what happened, when it happened, and what harm resulted. Be factual and specific: instead of "the work was bad," write "the crown was placed on the wrong tooth" or "the filling fell out after two weeks."
The dental board will investigate your complaint. They may interview the dentist, request records, and contact you for more information. The board cannot order the dentist to pay you money, but they can take disciplinary action—which may include fines, additional license restrictions, or permanent revocation if the license is not already gone. A board investigation also creates an official record that helps protect other patients.
The investigation timeline varies by state, but expect several months. You do not need a lawyer to file a complaint with the dental board, and there is no cost to you.
Seeking compensation for harm or incorrect treatment
If the unlicensed treatment caused you harm—pain, infection, broken teeth, or the need for expensive corrective work—you may have the right to sue for damages. This is separate from filing a complaint with the dental board. A personal injury attorney can review your case and advise you on whether you have a claim and what damages you might recover.
Damages in dental malpractice cases typically cover the cost of corrective treatment, pain and suffering, and sometimes punitive damages (extra money meant to punish the dentist for especially reckless conduct). Because the dentist was unlicensed, you may have a stronger case than you would if the dentist was licensed but negligent.
Many personal injury attorneys work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of any settlement or judgment you win and charge you nothing upfront. Call your state bar association or search online for personal injury attorneys in your area who handle dental cases.
What your dental insurance may cover
Contact your dental insurance company and report that you received treatment from a dentist without a valid license. Explain what treatment you received and what harm resulted. Some insurance plans will cover the cost of corrective treatment even if the original treatment was performed illegally, because the policy covers the dental work itself, not the dentist's credentials.
Other plans may deny the claim on the grounds that the original treatment was not covered (because it was unlicensed). If your claim is denied, ask the insurance company in writing to explain the reason. You can then appeal the denial if you believe the decision was wrong.
Insurance will not pay you directly for pain, suffering, or inconvenience—only for the cost of dental treatment. If you want compensation for those losses, you will need to pursue a legal claim.
How to avoid this situation in the future
Before your first visit to a new dentist, spend two minutes checking the state dental board website. Search the dentist's name and confirm the license is active. This takes less time than filling out a new-patient form and costs nothing.
If a dentist's office cannot tell you the license number or the state where they are licensed, that is a red flag. Legitimate dental offices display their license number in the office and can recite it from memory.
If a dentist offers unusually low prices, works out of an unmarked building, or pressures you to pay in cash before treatment, those are also warning signs. Dentistry is regulated for a reason—unlicensed practitioners cut corners on sterilization, training, and materials, which puts your health at risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my money back if I paid the unlicensed dentist?
You may be able to recover the cost of treatment through a lawsuit or by filing a complaint with your state attorney general, who can sometimes order restitution. You can also dispute the charge with your credit card company if you paid by card. The dental board itself cannot order a refund, but the attorney general's office sometimes can.
What if the dentist's license was revoked after I received treatment?
The timing does not matter for your purposes. If the license is now revoked, you still have grounds to file a complaint and pursue compensation. The board will investigate what happened and when, and a court will consider the full timeline if you sue.
Do I need a lawyer to file a complaint with the dental board?
No. Filing a complaint with the dental board is free and you can do it yourself. However, if you want to sue for money damages, you should consult a personal injury attorney, because lawsuits have strict important date and procedural rules.
How long do I have to file a complaint or lawsuit?
The important date for filing a complaint with the dental board varies by state, but most boards accept complaints for several years after the treatment. The important date for filing a lawsuit is typically two to three years from the date of treatment or from when you discovered the harm, depending on your state. Do not wait—contact an attorney or your dental board as soon as you realize there is a problem.
What if the dentist has already closed their practice?
You can still file a complaint with the dental board, and the board will investigate. You can also sue the dentist personally, though collecting money may be difficult if the practice is closed and the dentist has no assets. An attorney can advise you on whether a lawsuit is worth pursuing in your specific situation.