An individual may file a complaint with the Board. Completing the complaint form is strongly encouraged as a way of ensuring the Board can quickly obtain much of the information. The form may be printed or you may request a form by calling or emailing the Board office to have a form sent to you. You may include supporting documents such as patient records and images, insurance and billing statements, and other pertinent information.
The Board seeks a response from the person being complained about, and will contact the parties if it needs additional information.
When processing complaints, the Board must follow state public records and meetings laws. That means it can only discuss complaints at its noticed, public meetings. Those generally occur quarterly. To protect privacy of senstive data such as patient records, complaints are discussed in a confidential portion of the meeting that is attended by Board members and their staff; the public does not attend. If the Board decides that discipline is warranted, the existence of the complaint and its non-sensitive details are discussed in the public part of Board meetings.
After the Board has completed its investigation and reaches a decision, a written notice is provided to each party.
Please do not contact Board members outside of Board meetings to discuss a complaint. If you have questions, you may reach out to the Board's staff.
Sometimes complaints filed with the Board include disagreements about the costs of the care. The Board generally does not have the authority to remedy financial disputes. For example, it cannot order consumers pay dental bills and it cannot order dentists to provide refunds.
Those seeking payment, refunds, or reimbursements are encouraged to try to resolve that part of their dispute between themselves or consult with attorneys about legal options.
The Board may not provide legal advice to patients, complainants, licensees, registrants, or any other individuals.
The Board recognizes that some individuals filing complaints may wish to remain anonymous. When handling complaints, however, the Board must follow Open Records laws so it cannot assure anonymity.
Anonymously filed complaints may also not comply with the law that explains that a “person may file a written and signed complaint” - NDCC 43-28-18.2. If anonymous materials are submitted, the Board’s ability to investigate and gather information may be substantially reduced, and the dental professional's right to a full and fair opportunity to defend themself may be impacted.
