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Consumers Overview

 

The Board's Mission  

The North Dakota State Board of Dental Examiners is a part of the North Dakota State goverment. It is a regulatory agency mandated to protect the dental health of the citizens of North Dakota by regulating the practice of dentistry, dental hygiene, and dental assisting through the enforcement of laws, rules and policies. 

Those laws are approved and put in place by the North Dakota Legislative Assembly and the Governor. The Board may suggest, draft, and propose changes to the laws.

Overview and Limits on Board Authority

The scope of the Board's authority is determined by the Legislative Assembly. It has granted the Board several powers, notably the authority to issue dental licenses and to take disciplinary action against a practitioner who violates the laws or rules pertaining to dentistry.  

The Board does not have the authority to require a patient to pay dental bills and does not have the power to require a dentist to provide refunds. The Board also does not have the authority to require a dental office to provide dental care to a particular patient. 

Governmental Dental Board v. Private Dental Associations

It is important to  understand the difference between the North Dakota State Board of Dental Examiners (Board) and private associations. Examples of private assoications are: the American Dental Association (ADA); the North Dakota Dental Association (NDDA or The Association); and the North Dakota Dental Assisting Association (NDDAA).

• The Board is part of North Dakota's state governmental. Its members are appointed by the Governor, and the Board's authority is set by the Nortth Dakota State Legislature. While it has many responsibilities and duties, it primary function is to (a) grant licenses to practice dentistry, dental hygiene, and dental assisting, and (2) investigate complaints and decide if a dental practitioner should be disciplined. 

• Dental-related private Associations such as the ADA, NDDA, and NDDAA are not part of state goverment and are separate from the Board. They are private organizations and their membership is optional. These Associations advocate for and represent the members they serve.Even though the Board and these Associations all have an interest in dentistry, the Board is separate from all Associations and is not affiliated with any of them.