Minnesota Board of Dentistry

Find Minnesota dental board contact information, licensing requirements, continuing education, and how to file complaints against dentists.

Information verified May 2026

Minnesota dental board & association

Agency: Minnesota Board of Dentistry
Website: https://mn.gov/boards/dentistry/
Phone: (612) 617-2250
License Verification: Verify a dentist's license →
File a Complaint: File a complaint →

Association: Minnesota Dental Association
Website: https://www.mndental.org
Phone: (800) 950-3368

About the Minnesota Board of Dentistry

Minnesota regulates dental professionals through the Minnesota Board of Dentistry, an independent regulatory agency. Unlike many states where dental boards sit within a larger department, the Minnesota Board operates as a standalone entity with direct authority over dental licensing and enforcement statewide.

The Board oversees licensure, renewal, continuing education compliance, and disciplinary proceedings for dentists, dental therapists, dental hygienists, licensed dental assistants, dental corporations and firms, and dental laboratories. As of April 2026, the Board is led by Interim Director Joyce Nelson following the resignation of Executive Director Bridgett Anderson effective April 10, 2026.

Online services

Licensees and the public can access a range of services online through the Board's website, including address changes, collaborative agreement submissions for dental hygienists, license verification, and online renewals for all license types.

Board contact Phone: (612) 617-2250 — Email (complaint/practitioner review): den.practitioner.review.hlb@state.mn.us

Dental license types in Minnesota

The Minnesota Board of Dentistry licenses both individual practitioners and entities. Minnesota is one of a small number of states that licenses dental therapists as a distinct credential type — a mid-level provider authorized to perform defined restorative and preventive procedures in underserved community settings.

Individual practitioner licenses

Dentist — general practice license for graduates of accredited dental programs who meet Minnesota examination and background requirements.
Dental Therapist — mid-level dental provider credential unique to a limited number of states; authorizes defined restorative and preventive procedures under collaborative agreement.
Dental Hygienist — license for preventive and clinical hygiene procedures; dental hygienists who practice under a collaborative agreement submit that agreement to the Board online.
Licensed Dental Assistant (LDA) — expanded credential for dental assistants authorized to perform defined chairside procedures.

Entity licenses

Dental Corporation or Firm — entities operating dental practices in Minnesota must hold a Board-issued entity license.
Dental Laboratory — commercial dental labs operating in Minnesota are subject to Board licensing requirements.

Applying for a Minnesota dental license

Minnesota dental license applications and renewals are processed through the Minnesota Board of Dentistry's online licensing system at mn.gov/boards/dentistry. The Board offers online services for all license types, from initial applications to renewals.

New applications

Review the requirements for your specific license type on the Board's website before beginning your application.
Gather required documentation — examination results, educational transcripts, and proof of good standing from any state where you hold or have held a dental credential.
Dental therapist applicants should review the additional requirements unique to that credential type, including the collaborative agreement that governs dental therapist practice.

Renewals

Online renewals are available for all license types: dentists, dental therapists, dental hygienists, licensed dental assistants, corporations and firms, and dental laboratories.

Dental hygienist collaborative agreements

Dental hygienists practicing under a collaborative agreement in Minnesota may submit their agreement online through the Board's website using the Online Collaborative Agreement service.

No written verifications by mail As of January 2017, the Minnesota Board of Dentistry no longer offers written affidavit or verification letters by request. All license verifications must be completed through the online portal at mn.gov/boards/dentistry.

License fees and renewal in Minnesota

Minnesota dental license fees and renewal cycle information are published on the Board's official website. Fee schedules are subject to periodic revision; always verify current amounts at mn.gov/boards/dentistry before submitting payment.

Renewals

All Minnesota dental license types — dentists, dental therapists, dental hygienists, licensed dental assistants, corporations and firms, and dental laboratories — can complete renewals online through the Board's website. The Board's renewal portal lists current fees, expiration dates, and any continuing education attestation requirements for each credential type.

Verify before paying Current Minnesota dental license fee schedules are posted on the Board's website at mn.gov/boards/dentistry. Review the current schedule before submitting any renewal payment.

Continuing education for Minnesota dental licenses

Minnesota requires continuing education for dental license renewals. CE requirements vary by license type — dentists, dental therapists, dental hygienists, and licensed dental assistants each have distinct CE hour totals and approved-provider standards. Current requirements for each credential type are published on the Board's website.

Finding CE providers

Review CE requirements for your specific credential type on the Board's website before selecting a provider.
The Minnesota Dental Association (MDA) is a primary CE resource for Minnesota dental professionals; MDA offers a range of clinical and practice management courses.
Keep certificates of completion for all CE courses; documentation is required at renewal time.

Verify CE requirements Total CE hour requirements and approved-provider standards for each Minnesota dental credential type are published on the Board's website at mn.gov/boards/dentistry. Review before your renewal deadline.

Scope of dental practice in Minnesota

The Minnesota Board of Dentistry defines and enforces the scope of practice for each dental credential type licensed in Minnesota. The scope varies significantly across credential types.

Dental therapists

Minnesota is among a small number of states that authorize dental therapists as a licensed mid-level dental provider. Dental therapists practice under a collaborative agreement with a supervising dentist and are authorized to perform defined restorative and preventive procedures — typically in community health settings and underserved areas. The collaborative agreement governs the specific procedures, supervision requirements, and patient population.

Dental hygienists

Licensed dental hygienists in Minnesota may practice under a range of supervisory arrangements including direct supervision, general supervision, and independent practice settings, depending on the collaborative agreement in place. Hygienists who enter collaborative agreements submit those agreements to the Board using the Online Collaborative Agreement service at mn.gov/boards/dentistry.

Licensed dental assistants

Minnesota's Licensed Dental Assistant credential authorizes expanded chairside procedures beyond those permitted to unlicensed dental assistants. The authorized procedures and supervision requirements are defined by Board rule.

Filing a complaint against a Minnesota dental provider

Complaints about Minnesota dental licensees are reviewed by the Board's Practitioner Review Committee (PRC). The PRC's approach emphasizes resolution through education, conference, and corrective action before escalating to formal public disciplinary proceedings.

How to file a complaint

Email: den.practitioner.review.hlb@state.mn.us
Phone: (612) 617-2250
The Board's complaint forms and submission instructions are available at mn.gov/boards/dentistry/public/complaint-forms.jsp.

What the Board can and cannot do

The Board has jurisdiction only over individuals licensed with it. It can only act against licenses — it cannot order monetary refunds, resolve billing disputes, or take action against unlicensed individuals. If your concern involves a refund or billing issue, other remedies (small claims court, direct negotiation) may be more appropriate.

Alternatives

MDA Peer Review — the Minnesota Dental Association offers a Peer Review program for members (69% of Minnesota dentists are MDA members). Contact MDA at (800) 950-3368 for peer review referrals.
Attorney General's Office — the Office of the Attorney General Occupation Licensing Division supports the Board's legal processes for formal cases.

Minnesota Dental Association (MDA)

The Minnesota Dental Association (MDA) is the statewide professional association for Minnesota dentists, representing approximately 69% of dentists licensed in Minnesota. The MDA is affiliated with the American Dental Association and provides advocacy, continuing education, and member services throughout the state.

Member services

Continuing education — the MDA offers clinical and practice management CE programs for dental professionals at all career stages.
Peer review — MDA members have access to the MDA Peer Review program for resolving patient complaints outside the formal Board process.
Paid Family and Medical Leave — effective January 1, 2026, the MDA launched a Paid Family and Medical Leave Program for member dentists, providing benefit options previously unavailable to many independent practitioners.
Mental health coalition — the MDA's "Treat Yourself First" program addresses the mental health and wellness needs of dental professionals in Minnesota.

MDA contact Phone: (800) 950-3368 — mndental.org

Disciplinary actions and license verification

Public disciplinary records for Minnesota dental licensees are available through the Board's online license verification system and its dedicated Public Actions page. Formal disciplinary actions become part of the public record after final Board determination.

How to look up disciplinary records

Go to the Board's license verification portal at mn.gov/boards/dentistry/public/verify-license.jsp.
Use the online GLSuite system to search by name or license number.
For disciplinary-specific inquiries, review the Board's Public Actions page, which lists formal disciplinary determinations.
For questions about a specific disciplinary record, contact the Board's Practitioner Review unit at den.practitioner.review.hlb@state.mn.us or (612) 617-2250.

No written verification letters As of January 2017, the Minnesota Board of Dentistry no longer issues written affidavit or verification letters. All license and disciplinary status verifications must be obtained through the online portal.

Frequently asked questions

Use the Board's online verification portal at mn.gov/boards/dentistry/public/verify-license.jsp. Search by name or license number using the GLSuite system. The Board's Public Actions page lists formal disciplinary determinations. Note that as of January 2017 the Board no longer provides written verification letters — all verifications must be done online.

Contact the Board's Practitioner Review unit at den.practitioner.review.hlb@state.mn.us or (612) 617-2250. The Board's Practitioner Review Committee (PRC) attempts to resolve issues through education and conference before taking public disciplinary action. Note that the Board can only act against licenses — it cannot order monetary refunds or take action against individuals who are not licensed with the Board.

A dental therapist is a mid-level dental provider licensed by the Minnesota Board of Dentistry. Minnesota is one of a small number of states that authorizes this credential. Dental therapists practice under a collaborative agreement with a supervising dentist and are authorized to perform defined restorative and preventive procedures, typically in community health settings and underserved areas.

The Minnesota Board of Dentistry issues licenses for dentists, dental therapists, dental hygienists, and licensed dental assistants. It also licenses dental corporations and firms as entities, and dental laboratories. Online renewal is available for all license types through the Board's website at mn.gov/boards/dentistry.

Yes. Minnesota requires continuing education for dental license renewals. CE requirements vary by credential type — dentists, dental therapists, dental hygienists, and licensed dental assistants each have their own requirements. Current CE hour totals and approved-provider standards are published on the Board's website at mn.gov/boards/dentistry. The Minnesota Dental Association (MDA) also offers CE programs for Minnesota dental professionals.

Minnesota allows dental hygienists to practice under a range of supervisory arrangements, including in some independent practice settings, depending on the collaborative agreement in place. Hygienists practicing under a collaborative agreement submit that agreement to the Board using the Online Collaborative Agreement service at mn.gov/boards/dentistry. Review the current rule requirements for the specific supervisory arrangement you are operating under.