Mississippi Board of Dentistry

Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners

The Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners (MSBDE) is a legislatively mandated state regulatory agency. Its stated mission is to examine, license, register, and regulate the practices of dentistry and dental hygiene — ensuring competency through examination and licensure, and ethics through registration and regulation, among all dental professionals in Mississippi, for the ultimate goal of safeguarding and enhancing the health and welfare of the citizens of this state.

The Board states that it is neither affiliated with nor functions as a subsidiary of any private or professional organization. Licensing, verification, and applications are managed through the Board's Online Portal at gateway.dentalboard.ms.gov.

License types in Mississippi

The Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners licenses and registers dental professionals who practice in Mississippi. Credential types overseen by the Board include dentists, dental hygienists, and Radiology Permit Holders.

All active Mississippi dental credentials can be verified through the Board's Online Portal at gateway.dentalboard.ms.gov, where licensees can also manage applications, renewals, and other credential activities.

Applying for a Mississippi dental license

Mississippi dental license applications are submitted through the Board's Online Portal at gateway.dentalboard.ms.gov. The portal provides online access for dentists, dental hygienists, and Radiology Permit Holders.

Applications typically require evidence of graduation from an accredited dental or dental hygiene program, passing national and regional board examinations, and completion of any other requirements specified in Board rules. Specific criteria by license type are defined in Board rules and are subject to change.

Fees and license renewal

Mississippi dental licenses require periodic renewal on a schedule established by the Board. Renewals are processed through the Board's Online Portal at gateway.dentalboard.ms.gov. Licensees are responsible for renewing by the applicable deadline and maintaining current contact information with the Board.

Renewal requirements typically include payment of the applicable renewal fee and completion of any continuing education requirements set by the Board for the renewal period. Late renewals may incur additional requirements before the license may be returned to active status.

Continuing education requirements

Mississippi requires licensed dental professionals to complete continuing education (CE) as a condition of license renewal. The Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners sets CE requirements for each credential type to ensure that practitioners remain current with evolving clinical standards and regulatory requirements.

Licensees are responsible for completing required CE hours and maintaining documentation of completion for their renewal applications. CE course providers must meet Board approval criteria.

Scope of practice

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

The Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners regulates the practices of dentistry and dental hygiene in Mississippi. Radiology Permit Holders are also registered and regulated by the Board. Board rules set supervision requirements, permissible procedures, and professional conduct standards for each credential category.

Filing a complaint

The Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners investigates complaints alleging violations of dental practice laws and Board rules by licensed dental professionals. The Board's regulatory mandate includes enforcing ethics and professional conduct standards among all dental professionals in Mississippi.

Complaint resources are available through the Board's Online Portal at gateway.dentalboard.ms.gov and through the Board's main website at dentalboard.ms.gov.

Mississippi Dental Association

The Mississippi Dental Association (MDA) is the statewide professional membership organization for Mississippi dentists. The MDA represents over 60% of Mississippi's licensed dentists and operates as a tripartite organization — MDA members are also members of the American Dental Association and their local community dental district.

The MDA's mission, as stated on its website, is to:

• Encourage the improvement of the oral health of the public.
• Enhance members' ability to provide care to the public through education, training, and service.
• Promote the science of dentistry.

Member benefits and programs

• Advocacy — the MDA represents the dental profession before the Mississippi Legislature and regulatory bodies.
• Continuing education — the Association offers CE programs and events to help members meet renewal requirements and stay current with clinical advances.
• Professional community — members participate in local community dental district activities and the MDA Annual Dental Meeting.
• Practice resources — MDA members access endorsed programs, practice management tools, and member discounts.

Disciplinary actions and license verification

Disciplinary records and active license status for Mississippi dental professionals are publicly accessible through the Board's Online Portal. When the Board takes formal action against a licensee, that information is reflected in the licensee's public credential record.

How to look up disciplinary records

• Visit the Board's verification portal at gateway.dentalboard.ms.gov/verification/search.aspx.
• Search for registered dentists, dental hygienists, and Radiology Permit Holders by name or other available identifiers.
• Review the licensee profile for current active status and any disciplinary history associated with that credential.

Other state dental boards