Dentist Overview

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Initial Licensure Fee vs. Renewal Fee

Both fees are required to obtain and maintain a license and registration with the NDSBDE. The initial license application fee is paid to initiate administrative processes and verifications that must be completed by the Board's administrative office. The renewal fee grants the license for the following two-year period. Failure to pay the renewal fee will cause the license to expire.

If a licensee fails to renew the license by December 31st of odd numbered years, the practitioner may not practice dentistry. It is illegal to practice dentistry without a valid license.

Expiration of License

Within 60 days after December 31st of the odd-numbered year, an expired license may be renewed by submitting the renewal application, the application fee, late fee and proof of continuing education. On March 1st or after, the license may not be renewed and the dentist must apply for and meet the requirements for licensure reinstatement to be granted a license.  

If you do not receive a renewal notice in the mail by November 15th of odd numbered years, call the Board immediately.   

Application Process 

New license applicants: The Initial License Application must received by the Executive Director of the Board. The applicant shall enclose with the application a recent autographed picture of the applicant and an application fee as determined by the Board by rule. NDCC § 43-28-11. Application fees are nonrefundable.  

Initial applications must be completed within six months and accompanied by the appropriate fee. If an applicant fails to complete the requirements for licensure within six months of the applications postmark, the application and fee are no longer valid. Applications which are not notarized, submitted without the required licensing fee, or without the applicant’s signed photo will be returned. All application fees are non-refundable.

ID: In lieu of applications being notarized, the Board accepts current identification documents issued within the last five years. Acceptable ID means a valid driver's license, U.S. passport, or identification card issued by any branch of the armed forces of the United States. Attach a copy of the valid proof of identification to the application.

The Board investigates a dentist’s fitness, qualification, and previous professional record and performance. The Board may seek information from recognized data sources, including the National Practitioners Data Bank, American Association of Dental Boards, liability insurers, health care institutions, and law enforcement agencies. The Board requires initial license applicants to submit to a statewide and nationwide criminal history check.

 Name and Address Change

Name and address changes, EMAIL address changes may be submitted in writing or by email WITHIN 30 DAYS of any change. Name changes must be accompanied by a copy of the name change document (marriage license, section in the divorce decree, etc.). For CHANGE OF ADDRESS  

Reprint Large Certificate of License

The Board charges $50 if you wish to have a new large certificate mailed to you. You must send a request for the certificate and a check or money order for $50 payable to NDBDE. It may take up to 6 months for the license to be printed and mailed to you. 

Prescription Drug Monitoring Program ND Administrative Code 20-02-01-12.

Subject to the exceptions described in rule 20-02-01-13, prior to the initial prescribing of any controlled substance, including samples, a dentist authorized by the DEA to prescribe, administer, sign for, dispense or procure pharmaceuticals shall authorize an employee to review or personally request and review the prescription drug monitoring program report for all available prescription drug monitoring program data on the patient within the previous twelve months. Please review the rules carefully as well as ND ADMINISTRATIVE CODE  20-02-01-13. Exceptions to the review requirement.

How to Self-report - NDCC 43-28-18.1

When submitting a self-report to the Board, submit copies of all supporting documentation. Supporting documents may include a copy of criminal charges, police reports, judgement and disposition of criminal complaint; disposition of the offense; final disposition; any orders or any pending actions; court records, settlement agreements; copies of evaluations or assessments and recommendations for treatment if any were issued. 

According to the NDBDE's reporting laws, a licensee must report to the board in writing within sixty days of the event any illegal, unethical, or errant behavior or conduct of the dentist, including malpractice judgements or settlements or final judgment for or against the licensee,  a final disposition regarding the surrender of a license, adverse action taken against a license by a licensing agency in another state, territory, or country; all proceedings, or formal or informal actions by a governmental agency; a law enforcement agency; or a court for an act or conduct that would constitute grounds for discipline.

A licensee must also report a mortality or other incident occurring in an outpatient facility of the dentist which results in temporary or permanent physical or mental injury requiring hospitalization of the patient during or as a direct result of a dental procedure or related use of general anesthesia, deep sedation, conscious sedation with a parenteral drug, or enteral sedation within sixty days of the event.

A dentist shall advise the board in a timely manner if the dentist reasonably believes another dentist has committed an illegal or immoral act or has otherwise failed to make a report.

OPIOIDS - NEWS YOU CAN USE 

The Board believes that a fundamental component of good dental practice includes the appropriate evaluation and management of pain. While all dentists do not require DEA authorization to practice within their specialty or as general dentists, responsibly prescribed opioid medications and psychological and physical symptoms of opioid abuse may help North Dakota licensees treat their patients' pain safely and effectively. 

It is the duty of any licensee prescribing opioid medications to be knowledgeable of both the therapeutic benefits, risks, and potential harm associated with opioid treatment. The Board of Dental Examiners expects any licensee prescribing opioids for the treatment of pain to review Administrative Rule 20-02-01-12 regarding the initial prescribing of any controlled substance, including samples. The Board notes that a failure to provide opioid treatment consistent with Administrative Rules regarding prescribing, may subject a licensee to disciplinary action by the Board.

The publications provided reflect the most current medical and scientific research and recommended practices for prescribers. While these guidelines do not constitute regulations, practitioners may find that these guidelines can provide useful information to licensees related to the appropriate considerations to be made prior to and during treatment plans involving opioids. 

 CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain

The CDC has also provided a number of useful resources related to Nonopioid Treatments,  Assessing Benefits and Harms, Calculating Dosage, and Tapering. 

 OPIOID AND NALAXONE EDUCATION - ONE Rx

ONE Rx (Opioid and Naloxone Education) provides North Dakota with a proactive approach to assess opioid-related risks. It's an opportunity to provide upstream prevention of opioid misuse and accidental overdose. To find tools to help equip providers to screen patients prescribing an opioid medication and provide education, resources and support to ensure safe medication use, please visit the following website, you'll be glad you did:

ONE Rx  HEALTH PROFESSIONALS    and    ONE Rx  DENTAL RESOURCES   to find resources to help dental providers with office-based screening.