Kentucky Board of Dentistry

Kentucky Board of Dentistry

The Kentucky Board of Dentistry (KBD) is Kentucky's dental regulatory authority, responsible for licensing dentists and dental hygienists who practice in the Commonwealth. The Board evaluates license applications, sets continuing education requirements, investigates complaints, and takes disciplinary action against licensees who violate professional conduct standards or Kentucky dental practice law.

KBD Portal — credential management system

The Board manages licensee accounts and credentials through the KBD Portal at kbd.portalus.thentiacloud.net. Licensees use the portal to manage their credential record, access renewal information, and interact with the Board's licensing system.

License types in Kentucky

The Kentucky Board of Dentistry issues credentials to two groups of oral health professionals. All active Kentucky dental licenses can be verified through the KBD Portal.

License types

• Dentist — required for all individuals practicing dentistry in Kentucky, including general dentists and dental specialists across all recognized specialty areas.
• Dental Hygienist — required for individuals providing dental hygiene services under the supervision structure established by KBD rules.

Verify any Kentucky dental license at the KBD Portal.

Applying for a Kentucky dental license

Kentucky dental license applications are managed through the Kentucky Board of Dentistry's credential management system. Application materials and requirements are published at dentistry.ky.gov, with account registration handled through the KBD Portal.

Dental licensure applications generally require passing scores on recognized national and regional board examinations, proof of graduation from an accredited dental or dental hygiene program, and completion of any required background check materials. Specific requirements for dentists and dental hygienists are defined by KBD rules and are subject to change.

Fees and license renewal

Kentucky dental licenses are subject to periodic renewal on a schedule established by the Kentucky Board of Dentistry. License holders must renew by the applicable deadline and keep their contact information current with KBD to ensure they receive renewal notices.

Renewal requires payment of the current renewal fee and completion of the continuing education hours required by the Board for the applicable renewal period. Late renewals may require additional documentation or reinstatement procedures before the license may be used for practice.

Continuing education requirements

The Kentucky Board of Dentistry requires licensed dentists and dental hygienists to complete 30 hours of continuing education per two-year renewal period. These requirements apply to KBD licensees only; dental assistants are not licensed by the Board and have separate regulatory requirements under a different authority.

CE hour breakdown

• 20 hours must be clinical continuing education.
• 10 hours may be other approved CE topics (practice management, ethics, patient communication, and similar Board-approved subject areas).
• 10 of the 30 total hours must be live and interactive — completed either in person or via live webinar. Pre-recorded, on-demand courses do not satisfy the live interactive requirement.

What does not count

CPR and basic first aid courses do not count toward the 30-hour CE requirement. KBD licensees who complete CPR as part of their renewal obligations should track those hours separately; they will not be credited against the CE total.

CE Broker

Kentucky manages dental CE compliance through CE Broker, the Board's official CE tracking system. Licensees should maintain an active CE Broker account and confirm that approved providers correctly report completed hours. CE Broker generates compliance reports that support the renewal process and provide licensees with a record of their CE activity.

Scope of practice

Kentucky dental practice law defines the scope of activities authorized for dentists and dental hygienists licensed by the Board. Scope boundaries establish what procedures each credential holder may legally perform and under what supervision conditions, protecting patients by restricting clinical activities to appropriately trained and licensed individuals.

Dentists hold authority to perform the full range of dental services authorized under their training and KBD rules. Dental hygienists provide preventive, diagnostic, and periodontal services within the scope established by Board regulations, working under dentist supervision as required by Kentucky law. Dental assistants, though not licensed by KBD, perform supportive functions as defined by their employing dentist within any regulatory limits that apply to their role.

Filing a complaint

The Kentucky Board of Dentistry investigates complaints alleging violations of dental practice laws and Board rules by licensed dentists and dental hygienists. Complaints may concern substandard care, unprofessional conduct, unlicensed practice, fraud, or other regulatory violations.

Complaints are submitted to the Kentucky Board of Dentistry. The Board reviews each complaint, may conduct a formal investigation, request patient records, and schedule a hearing when the evidence supports it. Substantiated violations can result in sanctions including license suspension, revocation, probation, or civil penalties.

Kentucky Dental Association

The Kentucky Dental Association (KDA) is the professional membership organization for Kentucky dentists. The KDA works to advance oral health in the Commonwealth, support dental professionals throughout their careers, and represent the dental profession in legislative and regulatory matters.

Member benefits and programs

• Advocacy — the KDA represents members' interests before the Kentucky General Assembly and regulatory bodies, working to ensure that dental policy reflects sound clinical and professional standards.
• Continuing education — the KDA provides CE courses and events to help members meet renewal requirements while advancing their clinical skills and practice management capabilities.
• Professional community — members participate in component district societies, networking events, and peer connections that build professional relationships throughout a Kentucky dental career.
• Practice resources — the KDA offers guidance on practice management, regulatory compliance, and the business aspects of running a dental practice in Kentucky.

Disciplinary actions and license verification

Disciplinary records for Kentucky dental licensees are publicly accessible through the Kentucky Board of Dentistry's credential management portal. When the Board takes formal action against a dentist or dental hygienist — including license suspension, revocation, probation, or reprimand — that action is reflected in the licensee's public credential record.

The KBD Portal provides public credential search functionality, allowing patients, employers, and the general public to verify license status and review any disciplinary history associated with a Kentucky dental credential.

How to look up disciplinary records

• Visit the KBD Portal.
• Use the credential search to look up a dentist or dental hygienist by name or license number.
• Review the credential profile for current active status and any disciplinary actions on record.

Other state dental boards