Indiana Board of Dentistry

About the Indiana State Board of Dentistry

The Indiana State Board of Dentistry regulates the practice of dentistry and dental hygiene in Indiana. The Board operates within the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA), which centralizes professional licensing administration for dozens of healthcare and regulated occupations across the state. IPLA handles the operational side of licensing — applications, renewals, verifications, and online services — while the Board sets the standards and requirements that practitioners must meet.

The practice of dentistry in Indiana is governed primarily by two titles of the Indiana Code: Title 25 Article 14 covers dentists, and Title 25 Article 13 covers dental hygienists. The Board's administrative rules are compiled under Title 828 of the Indiana Administrative Rules. The full text of both the statutes and the administrative rules is published through the Indiana General Assembly's online code system.

The Board holds regular public meetings, which Indiana residents and licensees can join via live Zoom stream. Recordings of past Board meetings are archived on IPLA's YouTube channel for those who cannot attend in real time.

License types in Indiana

Indiana issues a wide range of dental practice credentials through the State Board of Dentistry and IPLA. The full list of active license types searchable in the state's verification system includes the following:

• Dentist — standard full-practice license for qualified graduates of accredited dental programs.
• Provisional dentist — temporary credential for dentists completing specified requirements before full licensure.
• Dental faculty — credential for dental professionals in academic or faculty roles at Indiana dental institutions.
• Dental intern permit — issued to dental graduates during internship or residency training periods.
• Dental residency — credential specific to accredited postgraduate residency programs.
• Dental anesthesia permit — required for dentists administering anesthesia beyond local anesthetic; separate from the base dental license.
• Provisional dental anesthesia — temporary anesthesia permit while full permit requirements are completed.
• Dental radiographer — credential authorizing dental radiography procedures.
• Dental hygienist — license for dental hygiene practice in Indiana.
• Provisional dental hygienist — temporary credential during the hygiene licensure process.
• Dental hygiene intern permit — for dental hygiene graduates in supervised training settings.
• Dental hygiene anesthesia permit — authorizes qualifying dental hygienists to administer certain anesthetic agents.
• Provisional dental hygiene anesthesia — temporary anesthesia permit for dental hygienists completing permit requirements.
• Dental instructor — credential for dental professionals in clinical instruction roles.
• Limited charitable dental permit — authorizes dentists to provide charitable dental services in limited settings.
• Limited charitable dental hygienist permit — comparable limited permit for dental hygienists providing charitable care.

Indiana does not currently license dental therapists. All dental therapy procedures remain within the scope of the standard dentist license.

Applying for an Indiana dental license

Indiana dental license applications are submitted online through mylicense.in.gov, the IPLA licensing portal. The same portal handles initial applications, renewals, and most other account transactions. First-time applicants must create an account before accessing application forms.

Application process

• Online application — select "Apply for a New License" in the mylicense.in.gov portal and choose the appropriate license type under the Dentistry Board.
• Criminal background check — Indiana requires applicants to complete a criminal background check as part of the application process. Instructions for completing the check are provided within the application workflow.
• Board review — some applications require review by the Indiana State Board of Dentistry before a license is issued. The Board's review timeline varies depending on its meeting schedule and the volume of pending applications. IPLA's Dentistry Home page addresses this in its FAQ section.
• Official verification — applicants who need official verification of an existing Indiana license for endorsement in another state can request a digital certification through the IPLA digital certification service.

Fees and license renewal

Indiana dental license renewals are processed through the IPLA online portal at mylicense.in.gov. IPLA's Dentistry Home page lists renewal as a top FAQ — "When and how can I renew my license online?" — and points to the mylicense portal as the renewal channel. Paper renewal forms are not the standard process; IPLA administers renewals online.

IPLA manages the renewal schedule and notifies licensees through the contact information on file in the portal. Dentists and dental hygienists should ensure their email address and mailing address are current in the mylicense.in.gov system before their renewal period opens.

Continuing education requirements

Continuing education is a requirement for Indiana dental license renewal. The Indiana Dental Association provides continuing education programs tailored to Indiana renewal requirements — the IDA describes its CE as helping dentists "get ready for license renewal."

Indiana's CE curriculum includes ethics and opioid prescribing topics. As of 2025, the IDA has CE available specifically covering ethics and opioids, reflecting mandates that Indiana dental licensees complete training in these areas as part of their renewal cycle.

The IDA's CE program is described as a member benefit, with affordable pricing emphasized as a core reason to maintain membership. Non-members may also have access to select programs through indental.org.

Scope of practice

Scope of practice for Indiana dental professionals is defined by the Indiana Code and implemented through Board rules:

• Title 25 Article 14 — sets out the scope, requirements, and limitations for dentists practicing in Indiana.
• Title 25 Article 13 — governs dental hygienist practice, including what hygienists may perform independently versus under dentist supervision.
• Title 828 of the Indiana Administrative Rules — the Board's implementing rules, including general provisions under Article 0.5 that apply across dental license types.

Anesthesia permits

Indiana requires a separate anesthesia permit for dentists who administer anesthesia beyond local anesthetic. A parallel dental hygiene anesthesia permit is required for qualifying hygienists who administer certain anesthetic agents. Both permit types are distinct credentials issued by IPLA under the Board's authority.

Limited charitable permits

Indiana maintains limited charitable dental permits for dentists and dental hygienists who provide dental services in charitable settings under defined conditions. These permits authorize a narrower scope than a standard practice license and are designed for volunteer or safety-net care contexts.

Dental therapy

Indiana does not currently authorize a dental therapist license type. Procedures within dental therapy scope in other states remain within the dentist scope in Indiana.

Filing a complaint

Complaints about Indiana dental professionals are handled by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency. IPLA investigates complaints against licensees under its jurisdiction, including dentists, dental hygienists, and other dental credential holders regulated by the Indiana State Board of Dentistry.

To initiate a complaint, contact IPLA's dentistry staff directly:

• Email — pla8@pla.IN.gov is the primary contact for the Indiana dentistry program. Describe the nature of your concern and include the licensee's name and, if known, their license number.
• IPLA online account — IPLA's online services, available through the mylicense.in.gov account system, may include complaint submission options for registered users.

After a complaint is received, IPLA reviews the matter and may refer it to the Indiana State Board of Dentistry for formal consideration. Disciplinary actions that result from Board review are recorded in the License Litigation system and become public record.

Indiana Dental Association

The Indiana Dental Association is the statewide professional organization for Indiana dentists. The IDA's stated mission: Supporting Dentists. Promoting Oral Health. The organization describes its purpose as empowering Indiana dentists to navigate complex regulations and focus on delivering exceptional oral health care, backed by IDA resources, guidance, and advocacy.

The IDA is a constituent society of the American Dental Association. IDA members receive access to both state-level programs and the ADA's national resources. Indianapolis is scheduled to host the ADA Scientific Session in 2026.

What membership includes

• Affordable continuing education — the IDA provides CE programs designed to meet Indiana renewal requirements, including ethics and opioids topics. The IDA notes: "IDA Continuing Ed Gets You Ready for License Renewal."
• Professional community — connection with Indiana's dental community through IDA events and programs.
• 24-hour information and updates — current information on regulatory changes, clinical guidance, and practice news.
• Help researching and answering questions — IDA staff and resources to assist members with practice, compliance, and patient care questions.
• Cost minimization — programs designed to reduce the cost of running a dental practice.
• Advocacy — IDA advocacy on behalf of Indiana dentists at the state level and through ADA channels nationally.

Disciplinary actions and license lookup

Indiana maintains two public resources for looking up dental licensee status and disciplinary history:

• Disciplinary Actions / License Litigation — IPLA's litigation system at in.gov/ai/appfiles/pla-litigation/ publishes formal disciplinary actions taken against licensees. This is the primary source for Indiana dental practitioner disciplinary records.
• License verification search — the mylicense.in.gov EVerification system allows the public to search for a licensee's current credential status. Status options include: Active, Active - Under Review, Expired, Probation, Revoked, Suspended, and Voluntary Surrender. A license with a non-active status reflects the Board's most recent action on record.
• License Watch — IPLA offers a License Watch service at in.gov/ai/appfiles/licensewatch/ that allows users to monitor changes to a specific licensee's status over time.

Other state dental boards