Rhode Island Board of Dentistry

Rhode Island Board of Examiners in Dentistry

The Rhode Island Board of Examiners in Dentistry is Rhode Island's dental regulatory authority, operating within the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH). Dental health professionals must apply for and renew their licenses with the Department of Health. The Board ensures that all dentists and dental hygienists practicing in Rhode Island meet the requirements for licensure and comply with the applicable conditions and regulations of Rhode Island law.

The Board is located in the Licensing Unit Room 105A at Three Capitol Hill, Providence RI. Licensing inquiries, applications, and renewal are handled through RIDOH. The Board's regulations, statutes, and licensing resources are accessible at health.ri.gov/dentistry.

License types in Rhode Island

The Rhode Island Board of Examiners in Dentistry issues the following license and permit categories to qualified applicants:

• Dentist — active license for dentists practicing in Rhode Island.
• Dental Hygienist — active license for dental hygienists practicing in Rhode Island.
• Public Health Dental Hygienist — for dental hygienists providing public health dental services.
• Dentist-Limited — limited scope dental practice credential.
• Dental Academic Limited License — credential for dental professionals in academic or teaching settings.
• Dental Volunteer — license for dentists providing volunteer services.
• Certified Maxillofacial Surgery Assistant — credential for assistants in oral and maxillofacial surgery settings.
• Controlled Substances Registration (CSR) — permit required for prescribing or administering controlled substances in dental practice.
• Dental Anesthesia Facility — facility permit for practices administering dental anesthesia.
• X-Ray Dental Facility — facility permit for dental practices using dental X-ray equipment.

Applying for a Rhode Island dental license

Rhode Island dental license applications are processed through the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH). Applications are submitted online through the RI Health licensing system.

Application resources

• Online application portal — apply at healthri.mylicense.com.
• Regulations — Rhode Island dental practice regulations (216-RICR-40-05-2) at rules.sos.ri.gov.
• Statutes — Rhode Island dental statutes at Title 5, Chapter 31.1.
• Licensing fees — fee schedule (216-RICR-10-05-2) at rules.sos.ri.gov.

Fees and license renewal

Rhode Island dental licenses require periodic renewal through the Rhode Island Department of Health. Renewal notices are sent 60 days before the expiration date. License holders are responsible for renewing on time and maintaining current contact information with RIDOH.

Renew online

Rhode Island dental license renewals are submitted online at healthri.mylicense.com. Common licensee forms — including inactive status requests and address change forms — are also available at health.ri.gov/dentistry.

Fee schedule

Current renewal fees are published in Rhode Island licensing fee regulations (216-RICR-10-05-2) at rules.sos.ri.gov.

Continuing education requirements

The Rhode Island Board of Examiners in Dentistry requires licensed dental professionals to complete continuing education (CE) as a condition of license renewal. CE requirements ensure that dentists and dental hygienists 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, as defined in Rhode Island dental practice regulations (216-RICR-40-05-2). Licensees are responsible for obtaining CE from approved providers and documenting completion with their renewal submissions.

Scope of practice

Rhode Island dental practice law defines the authorized scope of activities for each credential type issued by the Board of Examiners in Dentistry. These definitions establish what procedures each credential holder may legally perform and under what supervision conditions — protecting patients by ensuring that clinical services are rendered only by appropriately licensed practitioners.

Dentists hold authority to perform the full range of dental services authorized under their training and Board rules. Dental hygienists perform preventive, diagnostic, and periodontal services within a scope established by Board regulations and Rhode Island statute. Credential types such as the Dental Academic Limited License and Dentist-Limited have scope parameters tied to their specific practice context.

Filing a complaint

The Rhode Island Department of Health takes licensee complaints seriously and will investigate and take appropriate action against dental professionals who do not comply with Department of Health standards.

What you should know before filing

• RIDOH does not investigate fee or billing disputes.
• RIDOH does not investigate personality conflicts or poor customer service.
• The investigation is kept strictly confidential.
• You cannot take a complaint back once submitted.
• The named licensee will be notified and provided with a copy of your complaint, unless you ask to remain anonymous. The licensee will be asked to respond by a certain date.
• Investigations may take several months, particularly if medical records or other information must be subpoenaed.
• You may be requested to testify as part of the fact-finding process.

Possible outcomes

An investigation may lead to: no action and a closed complaint; a letter of concern to the licensee; or a recommendation that the licensee be disciplined.

How to submit a complaint

Submit a complaint to the Rhode Island Department of Health at Three Capitol Hill, Providence, Rhode Island. For current complaint submission instructions and forms, visit health.ri.gov/licensing/licensee-complaints.

Rhode Island Dental Association

The Rhode Island Dental Association (RIDA) is a professional organization of Rhode Island dentists dedicated to the service of the public and the advancement of the profession through education, advocacy, and member services. RIDA serves as its members' main source of information on oral health in Rhode Island.

Member benefits and programs

• Advocacy — RIDA members have access to local, state, and federal political advocacy, representing dental professionals' interests in legislative and regulatory matters.
• Continuing education — the Association provides CE resources and events to help members meet Rhode Island renewal requirements and advance their clinical skills.
• Marketing services — members access marketing support and practice resources to support professional growth.
• Public resources — RIDA serves as a public resource for finding a local dentist, learning about oral health, and connecting with Rhode Island dental professionals.

Members of the RIDA have made a special commitment to uphold the ethical code, practice standards, and mission of the Association: to improve the dental health of the public and to promote the art and science of dentistry.

Disciplinary actions and license verification

Disciplinary records for Rhode Island dental licensees are publicly accessible through RIDOH's online licensing tools. When the Board of Examiners in Dentistry takes formal action against a dental professional, that action is associated with the licensee's public record.

How to look up a Rhode Island dental license

• Real-time verification — for the most current license status, use the verification tool at healthri.mylicense.com/Verification.
• Licensee search — find licensed dental professionals at health.ri.gov/find/licensees. This database is updated weekly; click a name for additional details.
• Download licensee lists — downloadable lists by profession are at health.ri.gov/lists/licensees/.

Disciplinary actions

Published disciplinary actions are available at health.ri.gov/lists/disciplinaryactions/.

Other state dental boards