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Kentucky
Board of Dentistry

New Rules for Internationally Trained Dentists 

Two recent rule changes expanding licensure pathways for internationally trained dentists in Kentucky are now in effect:

Specialty Licensure - ​An internationally trained dentist who has completed a two-year residency in a recognized dental specialty from a CODA-accredited program is now eligible for licensure as a dental specialist in Kentucky. Please be aware that only a specialty license shall be issued, not an unrestricted general dentist license. An internationally trained dentist may not practice as a general dentist unless they have completed a qualifying general practice residency. ​Please use the Application for Specialty Dental Licensure to apply.​​

Dental Hygiene Licensure - A dental hygiene degree is no longer the only accepted education to obtain a dental hygiene​ license in Kentucky. An international dental degree is now considered equivalent to a CODA-accredited dental hygiene degree for licensure purposes. Please be aware that all other dental hygiene requirements remain unchanged. For example, all applicants, regardless of their degree type, must still pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) as well as an approved clinical exam in dental hygiene. ​Please use the Application for Dental Hygiene Licensure​ to apply.​​​

The Board is currently working to update its online application process to reflect these recent changes. For now, internationally trained dentists seeking either type of licensure should apply using the printable forms linked above. Applicants are encouraged to contact the office with any questions.   

 

 
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Scam Notice

Scammers are continuing to target Kentucky-licensed dentists over the phone. The caller generally pretends to be a Board investigator, claiming that the target’s license has been involved in illegal activity. The Board’s name and number will even appear on the Caller ID, a process known as spoofing.

KBD staff will never contact you in this manner with verbal demands for sensitive information. Do not give callers your personal data or send money. Payments to the Board should only be made through our website or by mail. If contacting our office, use only the contact information listed on our website. You can also verify your license status on our licensee search page. Scam calls can be reported to the Attorney General's Scam Complaint Form.​

 

 
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Access Mental Health & Well-Being Services

The Board of Dentistry is excited to announce the launch of a Well-Being Assistance Program to provide Kentucky-licensed dentists, dental hygienists, and others with free and confidential mental health and work/life balance services. These benefits are provided through AllOne Health​, which offers professional support to individuals dealing with life’s challenges, both personally and professionally.​ Visit our Mental Health and Well-Being page​ to learn more.​​

 

 
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Legislative Update​

A significant update to KRS 313, otherwise known as the Kentucky Dental Practice Act, was recently signed into law following the passage of House Bill 776 by the 2026 General Assembly. To educate our licensees about the changes to o​ur Practice Act, the Board has developed a report that describes every provision within HB 776. Click on the button below to read the report. You can also follow along by viewing HB 776 in its final form here.

House Bill 776 Analysis

 

 
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Regulatory Update​​

In addition to recent changes to the Dental Practice, four associated administrative regulations have also been updated. The following revisions to Kentucky's dental regulations took effect over the summer:

When reviewing these regulations, note that the green highlights indicate new language that has been added; red highlights indicate old language that has been removed. Please contact the Board office with any questions about these regulatory changes.

 

 
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Managing Your KBD Account​​

The Board of Dentistry is using a new content management system, and licensees will need to set up an account before renewing their license or performing other tasks. ​To get started, open the KBD Portal Page and log in to the Licensee Portal using your email address and password. If you have not previously logged in, click on Reset Password to have a temporary one emailed to you. Operators of ​​dental sedation facilities, mobile units, or laboratories should instead select the Dental Facilities Portal on the portal page and register in the same manner to manage those accounts. 

Once an account is established, licensees will have access to several online services. All of your options are available on the left-hand navigation panel of your profile. For example:​

  • To renew your license (during the renewal period), select License Renewal.​
  • To download a copy of your license, select License Download.
  • To update your contact information, select Personal Information.
  • To print a copy of a payment receipt, select Invoices & Receipts.
  • To change your name in our system, select Name Change Request.
  • To retire your license, select Status Change Request.
  • To request a formal license verification, select Document Request and click on the Verification of License option.
  • To apply for a new privilege, such as a specialty license, sedation permit, or expanded duty registration, select Specialty Licenses, Permits & Registrations and click on Start New Application.

You can return to the portal at any time to perform these tasks and others.

 

 

Licensee Search and Verification

The Board of Dentistry maintains a searchable online registry of dentists and dental hygienists licensed in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. You can also search for registered dental laboratories, sedation facilities, and mobile dental units.​ If you are a current or former licensee in need of a formal verification of licensure from Kentucky to submit to another state licensing board, log in to the Licensee Portal and select the Verification of Licensure option from the Documents Request heading on the left-hand menu or submit the printable Verification of Licensure form to the office.  


Welcome

​​​​​​​​​About the Board of Dentistry

The Kentucky Board of Dentistry is a state agency governed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Our mission is to protect the public by licensing qualified dental health professionals and regulating the practice of dentistry through the administration of the Dental Practice Act. The Board is self-supporting and receives no outside government appropriations. ​