Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners

The Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners was established by the Legislature in 1887 to help protect the interest of Arkansas citizens. The Board is authorized by statute to license dentists and dental hygienists by examination or credentials. The Board issues specialty licenses to dentists who have post-graduate training and successfully complete an examination. The Board registers dental corporations. The Board issues permits to dental assistants who have qualified for expanded duties. It issues anesthesia permits to dentists who have special training and wish to use general anesthesia or conscious sedation in their offices. It issues local anesthesia permits to dental hygienists who have special training that meets Board criteria.

The Board by rule and regulation prescribes those acts, services, procedures, and practices which define the practice of dentistry and those acts, services, procedures, and practices that can be performed by dental hygienists and dental assistants.

The Board disciplines its licensees and permit holders if there has been a violation of the Dental Practice Act, the Dental Corporation Act, or the Board’s Rules and Regulations.

The Board is entirely self-supporting. Application fees, renewal fees, permit fees, disciplinary fines, and penalties fund the work of the Board.