Louisiana Board of Dentistry

Louisiana State Board of Dentistry

The Louisiana State Board of Dentistry (LSBD) is Louisiana's dental regulatory authority. Its stated mission is to protect the public by regulating the professions of dentistry and dental hygiene in Louisiana in accordance with the Dental Practice Act.

The Board issues and manages licenses for dentists and dental hygienists, establishes standards for examination and continuing education, investigates complaints, and takes disciplinary action against licensees who violate Louisiana dental practice law.

Board office address (effective May 3, 2021): P.O. Box 5256, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70821-5256. Physical location for overnight documents: 18212 East Petroleum Drive, Suite 2-B, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70809.

License types in Louisiana

The Louisiana State Board of Dentistry licenses dentists and dental hygienists who practice in Louisiana. The Board offers two primary pathways to licensure: Licensure by Examination (LBE) and Licensure by Credentials (LBC).

Applicants who have recently passed the ADEX clinical exam may qualify for LBE. Those who are currently licensed in another state may qualify for LBC — either a standard LBC (requiring a minimum tenure in the out-of-state license) or a Louisiana Resident LBC (available to current Louisiana residents with an active out-of-state license).

All license types and their specific eligibility requirements are described at lsbd.org. All applicants must meet requirements set by the Board, and licensure is not guaranteed.

Applying for a Louisiana dental license

Louisiana dental license applications are submitted to the Louisiana State Board of Dentistry. The Board describes two pathways — Licensure by Examination and Licensure by Credentials — for both dentists and dental hygienists.

Dentist application pathways

• Licensure by Examination (LBE) — available if you apply within five years of successfully completing the ADEX exam. Described as involving minimal paperwork.
• Licensure by Credentials (LBC — Regular) — available if you are currently licensed in another state and have held that license for at least three years.
• Licensure by Credentials (LBC — Louisiana Resident) — available to current Louisiana residents with an active out-of-state license held for at least one year. Requires less documentation than the regular LBC.

Dental hygienist application pathways

• LBE — available within three years of successfully completing the ADEX exam.
• LBC (Regular and Louisiana Resident) — available with at least one year of active out-of-state licensure; Louisiana residents qualify for the Resident LBC track.

Fees and license renewal

Louisiana dental licenses renew on a biennial (two-year) cycle. The Board's published fee schedule lists the biennial renewal fees as $590 for dentists and $230 for dental hygienists. Licensees whose licenses expire December 31 may renew by mail using a check or money order and the paper renewal application available on the Licensee Login page at lsbd.org.

Renewal requires payment of the applicable fee and completion of any continuing education requirements for the renewal period. Licensees are responsible for tracking renewal deadlines and maintaining current contact information with the Board.

Continuing education requirements

Louisiana requires licensed dental professionals to complete continuing education (CE) as a condition of license renewal. The Louisiana State Board of Dentistry administers CE requirements for dentists and dental hygienists practicing in the state.

The Board sets the required CE hours, approved subject areas, and acceptable course formats for each credential type. Licensees are responsible for tracking completion and submitting documentation with renewal applications.

Scope of practice

Louisiana dental practice law defines the scope of activities authorized for dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants credentialed by the Board. These definitions establish which procedures each credential holder may legally perform and under what conditions — protecting patients by limiting clinical activities to appropriately licensed practitioners.

The Louisiana State Board of Dentistry regulates the professions of dentistry, dental hygiene, and dental assisting pursuant to the Louisiana Dental Practice Act. Board rules set supervision requirements, permitted procedures, and clinical standards for each credential category.

Filing a complaint

The Louisiana State Board of Dentistry investigates complaints alleging violations of dental practice law by licensed dentists and dental hygienists. When substantiated, the Board may take disciplinary action against the licensee.

What the Board can and cannot address

The Board's complaint page notes that it does not have jurisdiction over fee disputes, personality conflicts, rude behavior, or the scheduling of appointments. The Board is also not a court and cannot order a licensee to pay compensation to a patient — that authority belongs exclusively to the courts in Louisiana.

The standard for the Board to take action when the allegation is substandard care is that it must be able to show by clear and convincing evidence that the dentist is a danger to the public. (In a civil court, the lower standard of "more likely than not" applies for compensation orders.)

How to file a complaint

• Download the complaint form from the Board's Filing Complaints page at lsbd.org/complaints.htm.
• Complete the form and submit it to the Board by email, fax, or mail.
• Complaints must name an individual licensee — the Board licenses individuals, not practices.

The Louisiana Dental Association also maintains a confidential Peer Review process, available for complaints that fall within peer review guidelines.

Louisiana Dental Association

The Louisiana Dental Association (LDA) is the statewide professional membership organization for Louisiana dentists. Established in 1878, the LDA describes itself as the largest professional health organization for dentists in Louisiana, with nearly 1,900 members.

The LDA's purpose, as stated on its website, is to promote, advocate, and protect the dental profession in Louisiana. As a tripartite organization, LDA members are also members of the American Dental Association and their local component district society.

Member benefits and programs

• Advocacy — the LDA represents the dental profession before the Louisiana Legislature and regulatory bodies.
• Continuing education — the Association offers CE programs and resources to help members meet renewal requirements and stay current with clinical advances.
• Professional community — members participate in district component societies, networking events, and peer connections throughout Louisiana.
• Practice resources — the LDA provides endorsed programs, discount services, and practice management tools for member dentists.

Disciplinary actions and license verification

Disciplinary records for Louisiana dental licensees are publicly accessible through the LSBD License Verification portal. When the Board takes formal action against a licensee, that action is linked directly in the licensee's verification record, where users can view a PDF of the disciplinary action on file.

The portal provides primary source verification of current licensure status for dentists and dental hygienists, and data is updated continually.

How to look up disciplinary records

• Visit the LSBD License Verification portal.
• Search by license number, last name, or first name.
• If a disciplinary action is on file, the portal displays a link to view the PDF document.
• For verification of retired or revoked licenses, or for a license not found in the portal, contact the Board office directly.

Other state dental boards