Georgia Board of Dentistry

About the Georgia Board of Dentistry

The Georgia Board of Dentistry is the state regulatory body responsible for licensing and oversight of dentists and dental hygienists in Georgia. The Board has seventeen members appointed by the Governor of Georgia — thirteen dentists, two dental hygienists, and one consumer member — providing representation from both the profession and the public in Board deliberations.

The Board's authority encompasses all phases of dental regulation: application review and licensure, license renewal, complaint investigation, disciplinary action, and enforcement of the Georgia Dental Practice Act and the Board's own rules. The Board also maintains the authority to issue cease and desist orders against unlicensed individuals practicing dentistry in Georgia.

The Board publishes monthly public board orders summarizing disciplinary actions and other Board decisions — accessible through the Board's official website at gbd.georgia.gov. All online licensing services, including applications, renewals, address updates, and license verification, are available through the Board's eGov portal.

Dental Licensing in Georgia

The Georgia Board of Dentistry issues individual licenses and permits to dental professionals. The Board does not license dental service organizations (DSOs), clinics, offices, or other non-person entities — only individual practitioners hold Georgia dental licenses.

Georgia dental license and permit types include:

• Dentist — full dental practice license for qualified applicants.
• Provisional Dentist — provisional license for dentists completing initial licensure requirements.
• Dentist — Temporary — temporary practice authorization for dentists in specific limited circumstances.
• Dental Faculty — license for dentists practicing in a dental school faculty or clinical teaching capacity.
• Volunteer Dental — license type for dentists providing volunteer dental services.
• Dental Hygienist — license for preventive and clinical hygiene services.
• Provisional Dental Hygienist — provisional license for hygienists completing initial licensure.
• Dental Hygienist — Temporary — temporary hygienist practice authorization.
• Dental Hygiene Faculty — for dental hygienists in academic or clinical teaching roles.
• Dental Hygienist Volunteer and Public Health Temporary Dental Hygienist — specialized license types for public health and volunteer service contexts.
• Conscious Sedation Permit and Enteral/Inhalation Conscious Sedation General Anesthesia Permit — permits required for dentists who administer sedation or general anesthesia in their practices.
• Provisional Conscious Sedation Permit — provisional permit for sedation permit applicants in process.

How to Apply for a Georgia Dental License

Georgia dental license applications, renewals, and address updates are processed through the Georgia Board of Dentistry's online portal at gadch.mylicense.com/eGov.

The Board's website at gbd.georgia.gov provides direct links to:

• Apply Online — start a new license or permit application through the eGov portal.
• Renew Online — submit a renewal for an existing Georgia dental license or permit.
• Update Address — update your contact information with the Board.
• Applications and Forms — downloadable PDF application forms for license types that require paper submissions or supporting documentation.

General documentation required for new dental license applications in Georgia includes education credentials, examination scores, background information, and professional history disclosures. Review the specific checklist for your license type through the Board's Applications and Forms page or the eGov application portal before submitting.

License Fees and Renewal

Georgia dental license renewals are processed online through the Board's eGov portal at gadch.mylicense.com/eGov. The Board publishes renewal deadline notices and updates on the Board's website and issues press releases when renewal schedules change.

Renewal applicants must satisfy any continuing education requirements applicable to their license type before completing the renewal submission. The Board may require additional attestations or documentation as part of the renewal process.

Continuing Education Requirements

Continuing education is required for Georgia dental license renewal. The Georgia Board of Dentistry establishes the CE requirements — including the required hours and any mandatory subject matter categories — under the Georgia Dental Practice Act and Board rules.

CE providers and courses used to satisfy Georgia dental renewal requirements should be verified with the Board before registration. The Georgia Dental Association (GDA) offers CE programming for Georgia dental professionals — confirm provider eligibility with the Board before applying GDA CE credit toward your renewal.

Scope of Practice

The scope of dental practice in Georgia is defined by the Georgia Dental Practice Act and the rules adopted by the Georgia Board of Dentistry. The Board enforces and regulates these laws to protect the public and ensure standards of dental practice in the state. The Practice Act and Board rules are published on the Board's website under the Laws, Rules and Policy section at gbd.georgia.gov.

A notable feature of Georgia dental scope regulation is the Board's sedation permit system. In addition to a standard dental practice license, dentists who administer sedation or general anesthesia in their practices must hold a Board-issued permit. Georgia issues three distinct sedation permit types:

• Conscious Sedation Permit
• Enteral/Inhalation Conscious Sedation General Anesthesia Permit
• Provisional Conscious Sedation Permit

The Board's disciplinary authority is limited to sanctions against individual licensees. The Board does not have jurisdiction over dental service organizations (DSOs), clinics, or offices — only the individual dentist's or dental hygienist's license falls within the Board's enforcement authority.

Filing a Complaint Against a Georgia Dental Licensee

The Georgia Board of Dentistry enforces the Georgia Dental Practice Act through its Compliance and Investigations Division, which reviews and investigates complaints involving licensed dentists and dental hygienists. The Board's authority is limited to actions against individual licensees — it does not have jurisdiction over dental service organizations, clinics, or offices.

How to File a Complaint

Complaints must be submitted in writing. You may file:

• Online — through the online complaint form at gbd.georgia.gov
• By mail — using the PDF form downloadable from the Board's Applications and Forms page at gbd.georgia.gov/applications-and-forms

Your complaint should include: your full name, address, and phone number; the name and address of the licensee; a detailed description of the alleged conduct; and any supporting information. To find licensee information for your complaint, use the license verification tool at gadch.mylicense.com.

What Happens After a Complaint is Filed

The Board's Investigative Committee reviews all complaints to determine jurisdiction — whether the matter falls within the Board's authority. If jurisdictional and a possible violation is identified, the complaint is assigned to an investigator. The investigator may contact the complainant for additional information or a written statement. All investigative materials are confidential and privileged by statute and may not be released except to other licensing or enforcement agencies.

If the Board determines that a violation occurred, it may discipline the licensee through a consent order (settlement) or, if the licensee contests the findings, through a formal Administrative Hearing before an administrative law judge under the Georgia Administrative Procedures Act.

Unlicensed Practice

Individuals practicing dentistry without a license may be subject to a Board-issued cease and desist order, civil fines, a court injunction, and criminal prosecution by local authorities under Georgia law.

Georgia Dental Association

The Georgia Dental Association (GDA) is the professional membership organization representing Georgia dentists. The GDA provides advocacy, practice resources, continuing education, and community service programming for its members and the dental profession across Georgia.

GDA member programs and services include:

• Insurance coverage — GDA Insurance Services (GDIS) offers insurance products for Georgia dental professionals at every stage of their career, including coverage for the practitioner's family, personal assets, and dental team members.
• Community service — the GDA supports dental care access programs, including the Special Olympics Special Smiles event and the Georgia Mission of Mercy (GMOM). Beginning in 2026, GMOM is transitioning to a community-based model — smaller, more frequent clinics hosted with local partners across Georgia — to expand access to free dental care statewide.
• Continuing education — the GDA offers CE programming and events for Georgia dental professionals and dental office staff throughout the year.
• Regulatory and legislative resources — GDA members receive updates on changes to Georgia dental practice law, OSHA compliance, and other regulatory matters affecting their practices.

The GDA offers a free account for dentists and dental office staff to stay informed on the latest GDA resources and updates. Learn more at gadental.org.

Disciplinary Actions

Georgia dental licensee disciplinary records and license status are publicly accessible through the license verification portal at gadch.mylicense.com/verification. Search by profession (Dentistry) and by licensee name or license number to verify a practitioner's current license status.

The Georgia Board of Dentistry also publishes monthly public board orders summarizing disciplinary actions and other Board decisions. The list of monthly public board orders is available at gbd.georgia.gov.

When the Board finds a violation of the Georgia Dental Practice Act or Board rules, it may impose the following types of disciplinary action:

• Fine
• Reprimand
• License suspension
• License revocation

Cases may be resolved through a voluntary consent agreement/order between the Board and the licensee. When no consent agreement is reached, the Board may proceed to a formal Administrative Hearing before an administrative law judge under the Georgia Administrative Procedures Act. Formal disciplinary actions become part of the licensee's public record.

Other state dental boards