CONSUMER BEWARE: Unlicensed Individuals Offering Dental Services on Social Media
Your oral health is too important to take chances. Stay informed about how to recognize individuals performing dental work without a license and steps you can take to protect yourself.
A recent trend in advertising on a variety of social media platforms exposes a larger portion of the public to unlicensed dental services than ever before. Services advertised might include braces, veneers, ‘tooth jewels’, crowns, dentures, and teeth whitening. When seeking care from someone without a license, patients cannot be assured that the service they are receiving is safe and beneficial. Unsupervised dental treatment from unlicensed individuals has the potential to cause irreversible harm to patients.
Licensed Georgia dentists are committed to quality care and encourage the public to seek care from licensed dentists to ensure proper diagnosis, treatment, and patient safety for all oral health needs. Georgia Dental Association and the American Dental Association urge the public to be cautious and always verify that their provider is licensed in their state of practice.
Is the advertised service…
Suspiciously cheap?
Located at a place other than a dentists’ office?
Claiming to provide a mouth accessory while saying they do not provide restorative dental services?
Advertising to you through a social media account that is not clearly attached to a licensed dentists’ practice?
Then you may have been offered unlicensed dental services.
Q: What can happen to patients of unlicensed dental providers?
A: Verifying that a provider is licensed offers assurance that they have completed the necessary education, training, and have passed the required exams to legally practice dentistry in Georgia. A licensed dentist is held to professional standards and subject to disciplinary actions if they violate ethical or legal guidelines, helping to protect your health and safety. Unlicensed providers, “veneer technicians,” and other people offering dental services illegally may not have the same education and dedication to quality care as a licensed dentist.
Patients of these individuals are at significant risk of permanent damage to their teeth and mouth.
- Incorrectly supervised orthodontic services can lead to irreversible and expansive damage including tooth and gum loss, changed bites, and more serious complications.
- Improperly applied dental treatment, including veneers, can lead to potential infection, nerve damage, choking hazard, improperly trimmed teeth, and worse. Unregulated materials, methods, and workflows can cause irreversible damage to hard and soft tissues and can require more extensive and/or expensive dental work to be done later in life.
Q: How can I verify that my provider is a Georgia licensed dentist?
A: You can verify a dentist's license by checking with the Georgia Board of Dentistry website, which has an online database you can access by clicking “Verify a License.” You can search by first or last name, or license number. You can also ask the dentist directly for their license information and verify it through these official channels.
Q: How can I find a Georgia dentist near me?
A: According to current data, every person in Georgia is within a 35-minute drive or 29 miles of a dentist. You can find members of the Georgia Dental Association in your community by visiting https://findadentist.ada.org/.
Q: What information should I expect to find when verifying a dentist’s license?
A: When verifying a license, you should expect to see details such as:
The dentist's full name and office address
The license number
Expiration date of the license
Any disciplinary actions or violations (if applicable)
Q: Are there any warning signs if a dentist is not licensed?
A: Yes, unlicensed providers often do unusual things. They may be reluctant to disclose their location until an appointment is booked, or a practice may fail to name a dentist on their website. They may claim that they do not practice restorative dentistry and say they only provide certain “cosmetic” services. If something about the practice feels off, patients can ask for evidence of a license. If a dentist cannot provide evidence of their license or refuses to share this information, that’s a red flag. Additionally, if they are practicing in a state without a valid license, it’s illegal for them to perform dental procedures- which can include everything from making impressions of your mouth, giving injections or anesthesia, to drilling/filing down teeth. Always verify before going ahead with any treatment.
Q: Is there a difference between being "board-certified" and "licensed"?
A: Yes, being licensed means a dentist is legally permitted to practice dentistry in Georgia, while board certification typically indicates additional specialization and expertise in a specific area (like orthodontics, periodontics, etc.). Both are important, but licensing is a minimum requirement to practice, while board certification indicates further training.
Q: Can a dentist’s license be revoked or suspended?
A: Yes, a dentist’s license can be revoked or suspended for a variety of reasons, including unethical behavior, malpractice, substance abuse, or criminal activity.
Q: What can I do if I suspect a provider is practicing without a license?
A: If you suspect a dentist is practicing without a license, you can report them to the Georgia Board of Dentistry. They will investigate the situation and take action, if necessary, to prevent harm to patients.
Q: How often do dentists need to renew their licenses?
A: Dentists in Georgia renew their licenses every two years. They are also required to complete continuing education courses to maintain their license.
Your oral health is too important to take chances. Always verify that your provider is licensed to practice in Georgia to ensure you receive safe, professional care. If in doubt, don't hesitate to ask or check with the Georgia Board of Dentistry.
