Nebraska Board of Dentistry

About the Nebraska Board of Dentistry

Nebraska dental licensing operates through the DHHS Division of Public Health, Licensure Unit (Office of Medical & Specialized Health) within the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. The Board of Dentistry is an advisory body that establishes professional and educational standards—including the continuing education rules codified at 172 NAC 56—while the Licensure Unit manages day-to-day applications, renewals, and disciplinary matters.

The Licensure Unit is located at 301 Centennial Mall South, 14th & M Streets, 3rd Floor, Lincoln NE 68508. Mail should be sent to: DHHS Licensure Unit, Attn: Medical, PO Box 94986, Lincoln NE 68509-4986. Office hours are Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., closed federal holidays.

Dental and Dental Hygiene (DDH) Compact

Governor Pillen signed LB 148 on April 14, 2025, enacting the Dental and Dental Hygiene Compact law for Nebraska. The compact will provide eligible dentists and dental hygienists an additional pathway to licensure that allows practice in other participating compact states. The activation process generally takes 12–18 months or longer. More information is available at ddhcompact.org.

Nebraska Dental Licensing

Nebraska defines the practice of dentistry to include "the ability to diagnose, treat, prescribe, or operate for any disease, pain, deformity, deficiency, injury, or physical condition of the teeth, jaws or adjacent structures." The DHHS Licensure Unit issues dentist licenses under two primary pathways:

• Examination pathway — Applicant must have taken and passed an acceptable clinical examination within the past 5 years.
• Reciprocity pathway — Applicant must be licensed in another state or jurisdiction and have been actively practicing (or in a residency or graduate training program) for at least 3 years, with at least 1 of those years within the last 3.

Requirements common to all applicants:

• Completion of the Nebraska Dental/Dental Hygiene jurisprudence examination
• Criminal background check via Nebraska State Patrol fingerprinting ($55 fee)
• Proof of federal DEA registration (required only if the applicant will prescribe controlled substances)

Anesthesia/Sedation Permits

Dentists wishing to administer anesthesia or sedation must obtain a permit before providing the service. Permits are issued per practice location. Licensed dentists may provide inhalation analgesia (nitrous oxide) without a permit.

• General Anesthesia / Deep Sedation Permit — Office inspection required before issuance; permit is location-specific
• Moderate Sedation Permit — Office inspection required before issuance; permit is location-specific
• Minimal Sedation Permit — No office inspection required; permit is location-specific

If a dentist changes practice location, a change-of-location application must be filed for each permit type held.

How to Apply for a Nebraska Dental License

Applications for a Nebraska dental license are submitted to the DHHS Licensure Unit. The primary form is the Application for License to Practice Dentistry (DDSAPP.pdf). A fee waiver option is available for those who qualify.

• Submit the Application for License to Practice Dentistry (fee waiver available)
• Pass the Nebraska Dental/Dental Hygiene jurisprudence examination (online)
• Pass a criminal background check — fingerprinting via Nebraska State Patrol or approved LiveScan provider ($55 fee)
• Provide proof of federal DEA registration if you plan to prescribe controlled substances
• Meet either the examination pathway (clinical exam within 5 years) or reciprocity pathway (3+ years licensed) requirements

For sedation/anesthesia permits, separate applications are required for each permit level (General Anesthesia/Deep Sedation, Moderate Sedation, or Minimal Sedation). These are submitted to the same Licensure Unit at (402) 471-2118.

Dentists who wish to volunteer during emergencies may register through the ESAR-VHP Program and Medical Reserve Corps.

License Fees and Renewal

Nebraska dental licenses renew on March 1 of odd-numbered years. Renewal requires completing 30 hours of continuing education during the preceding 24-month period prior to the expiration date.

• License renewal date: March 1 of odd-numbered years
• Licenses may be placed on Inactive Status at any time
• Reinstatement from Inactive or Expired status requires a Dental Reinstatement Application (available on the DHHS Dentist page)
• For reinstatement after disciplinary action, contact the Licensure Unit at (402) 471-2118

Known fees from the application page: initial criminal background check is $55; Preliminary Application Conviction Review is $100 per license type. Reinstatement fees for sedation permits (GA/Deep Sedation, Moderate Sedation, Minimal Sedation) are outlined in the respective reinstatement application forms.

Continuing Education Requirements

Renewal of a Nebraska dental license requires 30 hours of acceptable continuing education completed during the preceding 24-month period prior to the license expiration date (March 1 of odd-numbered years). Acceptable CE courses are defined in 172 NAC 56.

• 30 CE hours per 24-month renewal cycle
• Retain all CE documentation for at least four years — DHHS conducts random post-renewal audits
• If selected for audit, you will be notified by mail; do not submit CE certificates unless specifically requested

Additional CE for Sedation Permit Holders

All holders of a General Anesthesia/Deep Sedation or Moderate Sedation permit must complete at least 6 hours of continuing education directly related to the administration and management of anesthesia/sedation, as part of the 30-hour requirement.

Scope of Dental Practice in Nebraska

Nebraska defines dental practice as including "the ability to diagnose, treat, prescribe, or operate for any disease, pain, deformity, deficiency, injury, or physical condition of the teeth, jaws or adjacent structures."

Controlled Substances and DEA

Dentists who prescribe controlled substances must hold a federal DEA registration. Credentialing organizations, hospitals, and pharmacies may access Nebraska DEA registrant information by obtaining a user ID and password from the Licensure Unit at dhhs.licensuresupport@nebraska.gov. DEA information on file is validated at license issuance and updated quarterly.

Anesthesia and Sedation Scope

• Inhalation analgesia (nitrous oxide) — permitted for all licensed dentists without a separate permit
• Minimal Sedation — requires a minimal sedation permit; dentist must complete approved training (LB 80 implementation); permit is location-specific
• Moderate Sedation — requires a moderate sedation permit and pre-issuance office inspection; permit is location-specific
• General Anesthesia / Deep Sedation — requires a GA/DS permit and pre-issuance office inspection; permit is location-specific

Filing a Complaint Against a Nebraska Dentist

Complaints against Nebraska-licensed dental professionals are handled through the DHHS complaint and investigation process. The DHHS Complaints and Discipline Index Page provides direct access to:

• File a complaint against a licensed professional
• View disciplinary actions against licensed professionals

Nebraska Dental Association

The Nebraska Dental Association (NDA) has served Nebraska's dental profession since its founding in 1868—over 150 years of advancing dentistry, supporting dentists, and promoting oral health across the state. The NDA is the state component of the American Dental Association (ADA).

NDA membership connects dental professionals across Nebraska with:

• Continuing education resources and events, including the Annual Session
• State and national advocacy for dentist-led practices and patient access to care
• ADA Member Advantage discounts (CareCredit, Compliancy Group, Panacea Financial, UPS, Lenovo, HealthFirst, and more)
• Networking opportunities with peers across Nebraska

Visit nedental.org for membership information, event registration, and legislative updates.

Disciplinary Actions and License Verification

Disciplinary actions against Nebraska-licensed dental professionals are publicly accessible through two DHHS resources:

• Nebraska License Information System (LISSearch) — search by individual name to verify active license status and view license details; updated regularly
• DHHS Disciplinary Actions Against Health Care Professionals — browse posted disciplinary actions by profession

Other state dental boards