Maine Board of Dentistry

Maine Board of Dental Practice

The Maine Board of Dental Practice is an independent state regulatory agency established to protect the public through the regulation of individuals practicing in the dental profession. The Board examines and licenses qualified applicants in the following categories: dentists, dental hygienists, dental radiographers, dental therapists, denturists, and expanded function dental assistants. The Board also issues sedation permits to qualified licensees, inspects dental practices, investigates complaints against licensees, and takes appropriate disciplinary action.

The Board is located at 143 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0143, and operates within the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation. Its licensing database and online services are available at maine.gov/dental.

License types in Maine

The Maine Board of Dental Practice licenses oral health professionals across a broader range of credential categories than many states, reflecting Maine's expanded dental workforce model. The Board issues licenses and permits in the following categories:

• Dentist — licensed to perform the full scope of dental procedures under Maine law.
• Dental Hygienist — licensed for preventive, diagnostic, and periodontal services within the scope defined by Board rules.
• Dental Radiographer — credentialed to take dental radiographs under dentist supervision.
• Dental Therapist — licensed mid-level oral health provider authorized under Maine's dental therapy statute.
• Denturist — licensed to provide denture services directly to patients.
• Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) — credentialed dental assistants authorized to perform expanded clinical functions under dentist supervision.
• Sedation Permit — issued to qualified dentists authorizing the administration of sedation or anesthesia in dental practice.

Applying for a Maine dental license

Maine dental license applications are managed through the Board of Dental Practice. Applications may be submitted online through the Maine licensing system, and supporting forms and instructions are available on the Board's website.

Application resources

• Apply online — submit a new license application at the Maine online licensing portal.
• Applications and forms — downloadable forms at maine.gov/dental/licensure/forms.html.
• Jurisprudence examination — all applicants must pass Maine's dental jurisprudence examination; information at maine.gov/dental/jurisprudence-examinations.html.
• Laws and rules — newly adopted rules are published at maine.gov/dental/statutes-rules/statutes-rules.html.

Fees and license renewal

Maine dental licenses require periodic renewal on a schedule set by the Board of Dental Practice. License holders are responsible for renewing by the applicable deadline and maintaining current contact information with the Board so renewal notices are delivered.

Renewal requirements include payment of the applicable renewal fee and completion of the continuing education hours required by the Board for the renewal period. Licenses not renewed by the deadline may require reinstatement before the license can be used for practice.

Renew online

Maine dental license renewals are submitted online through the Maine licensing portal at the Maine online licensing system.

Continuing education requirements

The Maine Board of Dental Practice requires licensed dental professionals to complete continuing education (CE) as a condition of license renewal. CE requirements ensure that dentists, dental hygienists, and other Board-licensed practitioners remain current with evolving clinical standards and regulatory requirements throughout their careers.

The Board sets required CE hours, approved subject areas, and acceptable course formats for each license type. Licensees are responsible for obtaining CE from Board-approved providers and documenting completion with their renewal submission.

Scope of practice

Maine dental practice law defines the authorized scope of activities for each dental license category. These boundaries govern what procedures each credential holder may perform and under what supervision conditions — protecting patients by ensuring that clinical services are rendered only by appropriately licensed practitioners.

Maine has a broader dental workforce structure than many states, including dental therapists and denturists alongside dentists and dental hygienists. Each credential type carries scope and supervision requirements defined by Board rules and Maine dental practice statutes. Expanded function dental assistants are authorized to perform certain procedures under dentist supervision, as defined in Board regulations.

Filing a complaint

The Maine Board of Dental Practice investigates complaints alleging violations of dental practice laws and Board rules. The Board's primary purpose is to protect the public against dishonest, unethical, and incompetent practitioners whose conduct falls below minimum acceptable standards. The Board may only discipline persons currently or formerly licensed with the Board.

Filing a complaint

Complaints must be submitted in writing. An online complaint form is available at me.accessgov.com. Complaints may also be mailed to the Board at 143 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0143.

Process overview

1. Acknowledgment and document exchange — upon docketing, the Board sends the licensee a copy of the complaint and requests a response within 30 days. The complainant then receives the licensee's response and has 10 days to reply (reply is not mandatory).
2. Investigation — the Board's complaint committee reviews the matter. The committee typically includes one board member serving as complaint officer, the executive director, the Assistant Attorney General, and an investigator as needed.
3. Outcome — the committee may recommend dismissal, a consent agreement, or referral to an adjudicatory hearing.

Possible penalties

If a violation is substantiated, the Board may impose any of the following sanctions:

• Warning, censure, or reprimand
• License suspension for up to 90 days per violation or occurrence
• License revocation
• Civil penalty of up to $1,500 per violation or occurrence
• Conditions of probation
• Assessment of actual costs of investigation and/or hearing

Confidentiality

Complaints and investigative records are confidential during the pendency of an investigation. The complaint and complaint file become public upon the conclusion of an investigation, unless confidentiality is required by another provision of law.

Maine Dental Association

The Maine Dental Association (MDA) is the professional membership organization for Maine dentists. With over 700 member dentists, the MDA advocates for oral health policy, supports Maine dental professionals, and serves the citizens of the state.

Member benefits and programs

• Tripartite membership — MDA membership connects dentists to their local component society, the Maine Dental Association, and the American Dental Association, providing benefits and resources at all three levels.
• Legislative advocacy — the MDA represents member and public-health interests before the Maine Legislature and regulatory agencies, working to advance sound oral health policy.
• Continuing education — the Association provides CE opportunities, including the MDA Annual Convention, to help members meet renewal requirements and advance their clinical skills.
• Professional connections and discounts — members access practice resources, informative publications, and exclusive member discount programs.

Disciplinary actions and license verification

Disciplinary records for Maine dental licensees are publicly accessible through the Board's official ALMS (Automated Licensing Management System) online database. When the Board takes formal action against a dentist, dental hygienist, or other licensee, that action is reflected in the licensee's public record.

How to look up a Maine dental license

• Visit the Maine ALMS Online Services.
• Search by licensee name or license number to confirm active status and review any disciplinary history.
• The database is updated in real time and is the Board's official primary source for license verification, available free of charge.

Effective July 1, 2021, the Board of Dental Practice no longer issues paper license verifications. The ALMS database is the secure, primary source for all license status and disciplinary action inquiries.

Other state dental boards