Before you book an appointment with a new dentist in Alaska, it's worth taking a few minutes to confirm they're actually licensed to practice — and that their license is current and free of red flags. Alaska makes this easy through a free, public online search tool run by the state. This guide explains why it matters, exactly how to use the tool, and what the results mean.
Why Checking a Dentist's License Matters
A valid dental license confirms that a dentist has met Alaska's education, examination, and background requirements, and remains accountable to a state regulatory board. Taking a moment to verify a license can help you:
Confirm the dentist is currently authorized to practice in Alaska
Catch a lapsed, suspended, or revoked license before your appointment
Learn whether any formal disciplinary action has been taken against the provider
Avoid unlicensed or fraudulent practitioners
Make a more confident choice, especially with a dentist you found through an ad or referral rather than personal experience
Alaska's Official Dental Licensing Authority
Dentists and dental hygienists in Alaska are licensed by the Board of Dental Examiners, which operates under the state's Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (CBPL), part of the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development.
Board of Dental Examiners official page: commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardofDentalExaminers.aspx
Professional License Search Tool: commerce.alaska.gov/cbp/main/Search/Professional
Phone: (907) 465-2550
Email: [email protected]
Mailing address: P.O. Box 110806, Juneau, AK 99811-0806
All licensed professions in Alaska — not just dentistry — are searchable through the same centralized Professional License Search Tool, so you'll select "Dentist" (or "Dental Hygienist") as the profession type when you search.
Step-by-Step: How to Look Up a Dentist's License in Alaska
Go to the Professional License Search Tool at commerce.alaska.gov/cbp/main/Search/Professional.
Select the profession. Choose "Dentistry" or the relevant dental license type from the profession/program drop-down menu.
Enter search details. You can typically search using the licensee's first and/or last name. A license number isn't required, but if you have one, it can narrow your results.
Run the search. The tool will return matching license records.
Open the record. Click into the specific licensee to view their license number, license type, issue and expiration dates, and current status.
Check for a disciplinary history. Alaska separately publishes a Disciplinary Action Reports page covering actions from 2017 to the present, updated quarterly, which you can cross-reference by name.
If you can't find a record, or want to confirm information over the phone, call the Division at (907) 269-8160 or email the Board of Dental Examiners directly.
What Do the Different License Statuses Mean?
Once you find a matching record, you'll see a license status. Here's how Alaska generally uses these terms:
Active: The dentist holds a current license and is authorized to practice in Alaska.
Expired/Lapsed: The license has not been renewed by its expiration date. Under Alaska law, a dentist who does not pay the renewal fee on time forfeits the license, though it can potentially be reinstated within two years upon application and proof of continued competence.
Inactive: The dentist has requested inactive status, meaning they are not currently practicing but retain the license on record.
Suspended: The Board has temporarily removed the dentist's authorization to practice, typically as a result of a disciplinary proceeding.
Revoked: The Board has permanently terminated the dentist's license, usually following serious misconduct or repeated violations.
Probation/Restricted: The dentist can practice, but only under specific conditions set by the Board — for example, supervised practice or limits on certain procedures.
If a status looks unusual or you're not sure what it means, contact the Division directly for clarification rather than assuming the worst (or the best).
How to Interpret Disciplinary Actions or Complaints
Alaska's Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing publishes a public Disciplinary Action Reports page listing formal board actions — such as license suspensions, revocations, fines, or conditions — for all regulated professions, including dentistry, dating back to 2017. Reports are added on a quarterly basis, and there can be up to a 60-day lag between when an action occurs and when it's posted online.
If you see a disciplinary notation on a dentist's record, or want more detail about the nature of an action, you can:
Review the Disciplinary Action Reports page for the specific order
Call the Division's Investigations Unit or general line for more context
Request older records (pre-2017) through a public records request, since those may not be posted online
Be aware that Alaska has publicly warned about fraudulent emails and calls from people falsely claiming to be licensing investigators. Any legitimate concern about a dentist's status should be verified directly through the Division's official phone number or website — not through unsolicited contact.
What to Do If a Dentist's Status Looks Inactive, Suspended, or Concerning
If your search turns up something other than "active," here's a sensible next step:
Confirm the license number and spelling of the name to rule out a search error or a similarly named provider.
Call the Board of Dental Examiners at (907) 465-2550 to ask directly what the status means.
Check the Disciplinary Action Reports page for any related order.
Ask the dental office how they explain the discrepancy — a legitimate practice should be transparent about licensing questions.
Choose a different provider if the license is expired, suspended, or revoked, since practicing without a valid license is not something to risk your care on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alaska's license lookup tool free?
Yes, the Professional License Search Tool is a free public service provided by the state.
Do I need a license number to search?
No. You can usually search using just the dentist's name; a license number can help narrow results if you have one.
Does the search tool cover dental hygienists too?
Yes, the same statewide tool covers dentists, dental hygienists, and other licensed dental professionals in Alaska.
How far back do disciplinary records go online?
Alaska's online Disciplinary Action Reports cover actions from 2017 onward. Older records may require a public records request.
What if I suspect a scam involving someone claiming to be a licensing investigator?
Do not respond to the email or call directly. Instead, contact the Division's Investigations Unit through its official published contact information to confirm.
Closing Summary
Verifying a dentist's license in Alaska takes just a few minutes through the state's Professional License Search Tool at commerce.alaska.gov. Confirm the license is active, understand what any unusual status means, and check the Disciplinary Action Reports page if something looks concerning. When in doubt, a call to the Board of Dental Examiners at (907) 465-2550 can clear up any confusion — helping you choose your dental care with confidence.