Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners

The Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners (Board) issues licenses to dentists, dental hygienists, and dental consultants; certificates to dental assistants to perform X-rays and polish teeth, denturists to practice denture technology, and licensed dental hygienists to administer local anesthesia and nitrous oxide analgesia; and sedation permits to licensed dentists. Although the Board ensured that applicants met all statutory and rule requirements before it issued a license or permit and issued licenses and permits within the prescribed time frames, it should strengthen its oversight of licensees’ compliance with continuing-education requirements. In addition, the Board adequately investigated complaints, but should consistently document the basis for its decisions, improve its approach for imposing discipline, and improve its tracking of complaint resolution timeliness. Finally, the Board should improve its procedures for providing accurate and complete public information about those it regulates.