West Virginia Board of Dentistry

West Virginia Board of Dentistry

The West Virginia Board of Dentistry is an agency of the State of West Virginia, mandated by the legislature to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of its citizens. The Board regulates the profession of dentistry and licenses dentists and dental hygienists who have proven minimal competency standards by examination.

The Board is located at 1319 Robert C. Byrd Drive (PO Box 1447), Crab Orchard, WV 25827. Office hours are 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. The Board can be contacted at wvdentalboard@wvdentalboard.org.

Recent Board notifications include: new specialty designations now available for licensure (Dental Anesthesiology, Oral Medicine, and Orofacial Pain); availability of the Interstate Telehealth Registration for dentists and dental hygienists; and a position on Dental & Dental Hygiene Compacts.

License types in West Virginia

The West Virginia Board of Dentistry issues the following credential categories:

• Dentist License — active license for dentists practicing in West Virginia.
• Dental Hygienist License — active license for dental hygienists practicing in West Virginia.
• Dental Volunteer License — credential for dentists providing volunteer services.
• Dental Hygienist Volunteer License — credential for dental hygienists providing volunteer services.
• Teaching Permit — permit for dental professionals in academic or teaching roles (license numbers prefixed with "T").

West Virginia recently added new specialty designation options for dentists seeking specialty licensure: Dental Anesthesiology, Oral Medicine, and Orofacial Pain. Questions about specialty designations should be directed to the Board office.

Applying for a West Virginia dental license

West Virginia dental license applications are submitted through the Board's GLSuite online portal or by PDF application form. The Board offers both an online application process and downloadable PDF applications.

Application resources

• Apply online (individual) — log in to start a new individual license application at the individual login portal.
• PDF applications — downloadable application forms at the Board's applications page.
• Background check instructions — at the Board's background check page.
• FAQs — common application questions answered at the Board's FAQ page.
• Laws and rules — governing statutes and administrative rules at the Board's laws and rules page.

Fees and license renewal

West Virginia dental licenses require periodic renewal on a schedule set by the Board of Dentistry. License holders are responsible for renewing by the applicable deadline and maintaining current contact information with the Board.

Renewal requirements include payment of the applicable renewal fee and completion of the continuing education hours required by the Board for the renewal period. The Board has transitioned to an online renewal system; licensees who have not yet linked their license record to the new portal can do so through the Board's website.

Renew online

Renew your West Virginia dental license online at the Board's online renewal portal.

Continuing education requirements

The West Virginia Board of 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. Licensees are responsible for obtaining CE from approved providers and documenting completion with their renewal submissions.

Scope of practice

West Virginia dental practice law defines the authorized scope of activities for dentists and dental hygienists licensed by the Board of Dentistry. These definitions establish what procedures each credential holder may legally perform and under what supervision conditions — protecting patients by restricting clinical activities to appropriately licensed practitioners.

Dentists hold authority to perform the full range of dental services authorized under their training and Board rules, including new specialty areas such as Dental Anesthesiology, Oral Medicine, and Orofacial Pain where a specialty designation has been obtained. Dental hygienists perform preventive, diagnostic, and periodontal services within the scope established by Board regulations and West Virginia statute.

Filing a complaint

The West Virginia Board of Dentistry investigates complaints alleging violations of dental practice laws and Board rules by West Virginia dental licensees. Complaints may concern substandard care, unprofessional conduct, unlicensed practice, or other violations of Board standards.

Filing a complaint

Download and complete the Board's official complaint form:

• Complaint form (2025) — download at the Board's complaint page.
• Complete all pages of the form.
• Mail, fax, or email the completed form to the Board's office at: 1319 Robert C. Byrd Drive, PO Box 1447, Crab Orchard, WV 25827.

Process overview

Each complaint is assigned to a complaint committee made up of two current Board members. The complainant receives periodic updates regarding the progress of their complaint.

West Virginia Dental Association

The West Virginia Dental Association (WVDA) is the professional membership organization for West Virginia dentists. The WVDA advocates, educates, and supports over 800 dentists across the state, organized through a tripartite structure comprising the American Dental Association, the West Virginia Dental Association, and West Virginia's 10 local dental societies.

Mission and programs

West Virginia ranks 49th out of 51 states and the District of Columbia for dental health. The WVDA believes that improving access to quality dental care for West Virginia families requires strong advocacy, professional community, and public engagement.

• Advocacy — the WVDA works to advance oral health policy in West Virginia, representing member interests before the Legislature and regulatory bodies.
• Continuing education — the Association provides CE opportunities to help members meet renewal requirements and stay current with clinical advances.
• Professional community — WVDA membership connects dentists to 10 local dental societies statewide and to national resources through the ADA tripartite network.
• Find a dentist — the WVDA maintains a searchable directory of member dentists to help patients connect with trusted local providers.
• Public resources — the Association provides public-facing dental health resources, including insurance guidance and information for families and employers.

Disciplinary actions and license verification

The West Virginia Board of Dentistry maintains a public license verification database for dentists and dental hygienists currently or previously licensed in West Virginia. The search tool reflects license status and, where applicable, disciplinary history.

How to look up a West Virginia dental license

• Visit the West Virginia Board of Dentistry Verification Search.
• Search by first name, last name (partial names supported with wildcard *), business name, or license number.
• Select a license type: Dentist License, Dental Hygienist License, Dental Volunteer License, or Dental Hygienist Volunteer License. License numbers beginning with "T" are Teaching Permits; "V" are Volunteer Licenses.

Request a written verification

To obtain a written verification of licensure status to send to another state or organization, submit a written request with a fee of $23.00 per verification. The request must include the licensee's name, telephone number, the name of the state the verification is for, and where the verification should be mailed. Mail requests with payment to:

West Virginia Board of Dentistry
PO Box 1447, Crab Orchard, WV 25827

Checks should be made payable to: West Virginia Board of Dentistry.

Other state dental boards