Montana Board of Dentistry
Find Montana dental board contact information, licensing requirements, continuing education, and how to file complaints against dentists.
Montana dental board & association
- Agency
- Montana Board of Dentistry
- Website
- https://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/dentistry/
- Phone
- (406) 444-6880
- License Verification
- Verify a dentist's license →
- File a Complaint
- File a complaint →
- Association
- Montana Dental Association
- Website
- https://www.montanadental.org
About the Montana Board of Dentistry
The Montana Board of Dentistry operates within the Business Standards Division of the Montana Department of Labor and Industry. The board regulates the licensure and professional conduct of dentists, dental hygienists, and denturists in Montana. General licensure questions can be directed to the board's customer service team at dlibsdhelp@mt.gov or (406) 444-6880.
The board holds public meetings throughout the year; online and phone attendance options are available. Meeting announcements are posted at boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/dentistry/.
License types issued by the board
The Montana Board of Dentistry licenses dentists, dental hygienists, and denturists practicing in Montana. The board sets and enforces the standards of conduct for these professions under Title 37 of the Montana Code Annotated.
Current license status for Montana dental professionals can be verified through the DLI license search at ebizws.mt.gov/PUBLICPORTAL/searchform.
Applying for a Montana dental license
Montana dental license applications are processed through the state's online licensing portal at ebiz.mt.gov/pol/Default.aspx. The portal supports new applications, renewals, and other licensing transactions.
General questions about the application process can be directed to the board at dlibsdhelp@mt.gov or (406) 444-6880.
Fees and license renewal
Montana dental license fees and renewal schedules are administered by the Board of Dentistry under the Department of Labor and Industry. Current fee amounts are maintained through the state's online licensing portal.
Continuing education requirements
Montana dental licensees are subject to continuing education requirements as a condition of license renewal. The board's rules under Title 37 of the Montana Code Annotated define the required hours, approved course categories, and documentation requirements.
Scope of practice
Dental practice in Montana is governed by Title 37 of the Montana Code Annotated, with the Board of Dentistry holding authority to set and enforce professional standards for dentists, dental hygienists, and denturists. The board's administrative rules define scope of practice, supervision requirements, and standards of professional conduct.
For specific scope-of-practice questions, consult the Montana Code Annotated and the Administrative Rules of Montana available through the Professional Boards and Licensing website at boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov, or contact the board at dlibsdhelp@mt.gov.
Filing a complaint
The Montana Department of Labor and Industry and the Board of Dentistry are responsible for taking appropriate action when a licensee engages in unprofessional, incompetent, or unlawful practice. Investigators and legal staff are impartial fact-finders; they do not represent either the person filing the complaint or the person against whom it is filed.
How to file. Complaints can be submitted electronically using the Online License Complaint Form. Paper submissions can be mailed to the Compliance Unit, P.O. Box 200514, Helena, MT 59620-0514, or emailed to DLIBSDCOMPLAINTS@MT.GOV. Include as much detail and documentation as possible.
Confidentiality. Your complaint will be shared with the subject of the complaint so they can respond. During the review and investigation process, the complaint and related documents are treated as confidential. Dismissed complaints remain confidential; final disciplinary orders are publicly available and searchable through the DLI License Search.
Anonymous complaints. Generally, anonymous complaints cannot support formal disciplinary charges. If your statement is the only evidence of unprofessional conduct, your testimony may be required at an administrative hearing. If you have serious concerns about identifying yourself, contact the Compliance Unit to discuss options.
After filing. Staff reviews whether the complaint falls within the board's legal authority. If it does, investigators gather information through written responses, witness interviews, or document review. After the investigation, a department attorney presents the case to a board screening panel. The panel may dismiss the case or find reasonable cause for disciplinary action. In either case, both parties receive written notice of the panel's decision.
Montana Dental Association
The Montana Dental Association (MDA) is the professional membership organization for Montana dentists, affiliated with the American Dental Association. The MDA represents over 1,000 dentists in the state and advocates for better oral health for all Montanans.
The MDA offers members continuing education opportunities, including courses and certification programs hosted around the state. It also organizes an annual meeting and provides practice resources and advocacy support.
More information is available at montanadental.org.
Disciplinary actions and license verification
Disciplinary history for Montana dental licensees is publicly available through the DLI License Search tool at ebizws.mt.gov/PUBLICPORTAL/searchform. The search tool returns current license status and information about any final disciplinary orders. Dismissed complaints remain confidential and are not reflected in public records.
The board's disciplinary authority is established by § 37-1-312 of the Montana Code Annotated. Sanctions the board may impose include reprimands, probation, license suspension, and revocation. Cases may be resolved by stipulated agreement or through a contested hearing process that results in a final order from the board's adjudication panel.