Look up the license
The Minnesota Board of Dentistry runs an online license verification portal for anyone who wants to check a dental professional. The Board explains that, to verify a license, you enter only the license number, including the letter, in the second-to-last field of the search form. If you do not have the number, call the office and ask for it. Most offices are happy to give it, and a hesitant answer is useful information too.
The portal shows whether the license is current and the practice status. It is the quickest way to confirm that the person who will treat you is licensed to practice dentistry in Minnesota. Do the check before your first appointment, the same way you would read reviews or compare prices.
Public actions and corrective orders
If a licensee has been subject to public discipline, the details of the orders can be found on the Board's Public Actions page. If an order does not appear there, or you need information about a public corrective action, you can email the Board's practitioner review team with your request, the licensee's name and the license number. The Board's office phone number is (612) 617-2250. The Board no longer issues written affidavit or verification letters, so the online portal is the place to start.
DDS and DMD
Most dentists use the letters DDS after their names, and some use DMD. They are the same degree, Doctor of Dental Surgery and Doctor of Dental Medicine, awarded by accredited dental schools. Dentists with either degree have the same education, and the training required is comparable in rigor to the training required at medical schools. After school, a dentist must pass a national written exam and a state or regional clinical licensing exam, and must meet continuing education requirements to keep the license active. The letters after a name therefore tell you about the degree, not about the quality of care.
Other questions worth asking
A license confirms the basics. To learn more about an office, ask how long the dentist has practiced at the current address, whether the dentist works with specialists for referrals and what the office does about emergencies after hours. The American Dental Association also suggests asking whether the dentist is an ADA member, since members voluntarily follow a code of ethics, and whether the office explains fees and payment plans before treatment is scheduled. For a longer list of questions, see choosing a dentist.
Find offices to check
If you have not picked an office yet, the directory of St. Louis Park dentists gives you 13 St. Louis Park area offices with addresses, phone numbers and websites. Open a profile, call the office and ask for the dentist's name and license number, then run the check. It takes a few minutes and it is worth doing before any treatment that involves a significant cost.
Common questions
Where do I verify a Minnesota dental license?
Use the Minnesota Board of Dentistry online license verification portal. Enter only the license number, including the letter, in the second-to-last field.
How do I find out about disciplinary action?
Public orders appear on the Board's Public Actions page. For a public corrective action or an order you cannot find, email the Board with the licensee's name and license number.
What is the difference between DDS and DMD?
There is no difference in education or authority. Both are degrees from an accredited dental school.
What if the office will not give me a license number?
Try the Board's portal with the dentist's name, or call the Board's office at (612) 617-2250. You can also choose another office.
Does a license mean a dentist is a good fit for me?
A license confirms the dentist may practice. Fit comes from the visit itself: how the office listens, explains and handles fees.