Dental Board of California

The Dental Board of California licenses and regulates over 100,000 licensees; consisting of dentists (DDS), registered dental assistants (RDA), and registered dental assistants in extended functions (RDAEF). In addition, the Board has the responsibility for setting the duties and functions of unlicensed dental assistants. The Board’s highest priority is the protection of the public when exercising its licensing, regulatory, and disciplinary functions. The primary methods by which the Board achieves this goal are: issuing licenses to eligible applicants; investigating complaints against licensees and disciplining licensees for violations of the Dental Practice Act; monitoring licensees whose licenses have been placed on probation; and managing the Diversion Program for licensees whose practice may be impaired due to abuse of dangerous drugs or alcohol.