Dentist Licensure Requirements in Massachusetts

The ADA lists the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) exam as administered by CDCA-WREB-CITA, and CRDTS plus SRTA, as accepted clinical examinations, with a passing score of at least 75% required in each section and successful completion of a patient-based periodontal examination required for all of them.

Which combination applies depends on when the exam was taken: ADEX as administered by CDCA-WREB-CITA; CRDTS alone if taken before July 1, 2009; SRTA alone if taken between January 1, 2013 and August 9, 2015; CDCA DSE together with CRDTS if taken on or after July 1, 2009; and CDCA DSE together with SRTA if taken before January 1, 2013 or after August 9, 2015.

Section 45 requires a written, sworn application and proof of a diploma from a dental college accredited (or recognized as accredited) by CODA before the board will examine an applicant; an applicant who fails may take two re-examinations within three years.

Section 46 defines a "reputable" dental college as one authorized to confer a dental degree, with a competent faculty and at least a three- or four-year academic course.

Section 46A lets the board require re-examination for competency if a licensee does not practice in the Commonwealth within five years of registration, or does not maintain a current license for five consecutive years.

Section 47 leaves the format of the examination to the board's discretion. 234 CMR 4.03 lists what an applicant for licensure by examination must submit: a completed application and fee, an original transcript from a CODA-accredited dental school, a physician's statement from an exam within the prior year, passing scores on ADA National Board Examination Parts I and II, the CDCA or another board-approved state/regional exam, and the Massachusetts Dental Ethics and Jurisprudence Examination, current BLS or CPR/AED certification, a photograph, disclosure of any disciplinary or criminal history, proof of good moral character, tax and child-support compliance attestations, and proof of the training required by M.G.L. c. 94C, Section 18(e).

A dentist may hold themself out as an ADA specialist in a particular practice area only if they have completed a specialty education program approved by the ADA and the Commission on Dental Accreditation (or its Canadian counterpart) and are either eligible for examination by, or a diplomate of, an ADA-recognized national specialty board.

A dentist may not describe themself as a specialist in directories, listings or other publications unless their practice is actually limited to the advertised specialty area.

A dentist licensed under Section 45 must renew biennially, no later than March 31 of even-numbered years, and must attest to participating (or having applied to participate) in MassHealth as a provider or nonbilling provider. 234 CMR 8.02 sets the minimum at 40 CEUs during the 24 months before that March 31 renewal (20 CEUs in 12 months for a limited-license dental intern or faculty member). 234 CMR 8.03 requires that CE cover the CDC Guidelines and continuous CPR/AED or BLS certification (or ACLS/PALS for anesthesia-permit holders), plus, for a licensee with prescribing authority, the training required by M.G.L. c. 94C, Section 18(e).

A new graduate is exempt for the licensing period in which they graduate, CEUs cannot carry forward between cycles, and a licensee whose license lapsed more than two renewal cycles must submit catch-up documentation and a written explanation before the board will consider reinstatement.

The board may waive the requirement for good cause, including military service, incapacitating illness or advanced specialty study, and under 234 CMR 4.14(9)(c) may require re-examination for competency for a dentist who has not practiced in the Commonwealth within five years of initial licensure, or who has not maintained a current license for five consecutive years.

Section 52A bars a registered dentist, other dental practitioner or dental hygienist from advertising in a way that deceives or misleads the public, claims professional superiority, promises painless procedures, promises a cure or satisfaction, or uses images of teeth or the human head — with an exception for truthful ads about the availability and price of routine services.

It separately lists seven prohibited characteristics, including unverifiable statistical claims, undisclosed additional fees, undisclosed discount baselines, and implying a specialist provides care when that is not the case; when a dentist pays a fee to join a referral service, the referral service must disclose that fee arrangement in its advertising and state that only fee-paying dentists participate.

Section 52B lets the board revoke or suspend a registration on conviction under Section 52A or for a crime involving moral turpitude.

Section 52C separately restricts denture/appliance businesses from advertising directly to the public outside trade papers, journals, directories, periodicals and magazines and the public telephone directories, and bars them from directly soliciting the general public's patronage for dental services, materials or appliances. 234 CMR 5.18 requires any ad for dental services to name at least one currently Massachusetts-licensed owner of the practice and to comply with Section 52A.