As the state's dental regulatory agency, the Board is responsible for protecting the public by ensuring that dentists and dental hygienists practice in a competent manner. The Board accepts and investigates complaints against dentists and hygienists.

The Board does not have jurisdiction over the following:

• Fee disputes
• Personality conflicts or rude behavior
• Scheduling (or lack of scheduling) of appointments

Before filing a complaint with the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners, you may wish to pursue your complaint through the North Carolina Dental Society "Patient Mediation" Program. Through patient mediation, your complaint will be reviewed by a committee of dentists and an attempt will be made to mediate your complaint and to resolve the issues to the satisfaction of both parties.  This option is available if you have not yet filed a complaint with the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners. If a complaint is filed with the Board, Patient Mediation is no longer an option. Decisions made by Patient Mediation are non-binding and do not prevent you from making a formal complaint to the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners should your complaint not be resolved.

If you are interested in requesting mediation with Patient Mediation, please call the North Carolina Dental Society at 1(800) 662-8754 or visit their website a www.ncdental.org. The North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners is a state regulatory agency and is not affiliated with the North Carolina Dental Society or its Patient Mediation Program.

If you wish to file a complaint with the NC State Board of Dental Examiners, you may download a complaint form from this web page, or you may contact the Board office and have a form mailed directly to you. Complaints are accepted only in writing and on the Consumer Complaint Form provided. All questions on the form should be answered as thoroughly and as accurately as possible, attaching any relevant paper work. 

The Board investigates all complaints thoroughly and as expeditiously as possible. However, the entire process can take anywhere from two (2) months to two (2) years, depending upon the complexity of the issues involved.

Once you file a complaint with the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners, the complaint is sent to the dentist or hygienist and a response is requested. A copy of this response will be provided to you. If necessary, interviews may be conducted by a Board investigator. With this information, a panel (1 Board member, 3 staff members, and the Board's attorney) will determine if any dental law appears to have been violated. If the evidence tends to show a violation, a hearing may be held and you may be asked to testify as a witness.

The Board has the authority to discipline the dentist or hygienist. The Board action may be in the form of a reprimand, license suspension, probation or revocation. The Board does not have the authority to make a dentist refund money, but a refund may be a condition of a consent agreement. Compensation for personal damages is not within the Board's authority.

Download Consumer Complaint
For a consumer filing a complaint against a dentist or hygienist

Download Practitioner Complaint
For a practitioner filing a complaint against another dentist or hygienist

Applications by mail may also be requested by 
Email: info@ncdentalboard.org  or by Electronic Forms
Pick up at 2000 Perimeter Park Dr., Suite 160 Morrisville, NC 27560
Office: 919-678-8223 or Fax: (919) 678-8472