Before you settle in for a dental appointment in Delaware, it's worth taking a few minutes to confirm your dentist is properly licensed. Delaware's Division of Professional Regulation offers a free, real-time online tool for exactly this purpose. Here's how to use it and what the results mean.
Why Checking a Dentist's License Matters
Verifying a license before your visit can help you:
Confirm the dentist is currently authorized to practice in Delaware
Spot a lapsed, restricted, or revoked license before booking
Learn about any public disciplinary history
Avoid unlicensed or fraudulent practitioners
Feel more confident about a dentist you found through an ad, referral, or online search
Delaware's Official Dental Licensing Authority
Dentists, dentist academics, dental hygienists, and dental residents in Delaware are licensed by the Board of Dentistry and Dental Hygiene, which operates under the Division of Professional Regulation (DPR).
Board of Dentistry and Dental Hygiene page: dpr.delaware.gov/boards/dental
DELPROS online portal (includes "Search and Verify License"): delpros.delaware.gov
Phone: (302) 744-4500
Email: [email protected]
Address: Cannon Building, 861 Silver Lake Boulevard, Dover, DE 19904
Delaware's online license verifications draw in real time from the DELPROS licensure database, the same system used for licensing across the state's many regulated professions.
Step-by-Step: How to Look Up a Dentist's License in Delaware
Go to the DELPROS portal at delpros.delaware.gov.
Find the "Search and Verify License" link, typically available directly from the DELPROS homepage without needing to create an account, since this is a public search feature.
Select the profession. Choose "Dentist," "Dental Hygienist," or the applicable dental license type.
Enter search details, such as the licensee's name or license number.
Review the results, which should show license status, license type, and other identifying information in real time.
Cross-check for discipline. If you want more detail on disciplinary history, the Board's website and meeting minutes (the Board meets in odd months — January, March, May, June, August, October, and December — on Thursdays at 3:00 p.m. in Dover) can offer additional context, and all meetings are open to the public.
If you'd prefer official documentation, Delaware also offers a formal license verification service request through DELPROS for a fee, typically used for employment or credentialing purposes rather than a quick personal check.
What Do the Different License Statuses Mean?
Typical statuses you might see for a Delaware dental license include:
Active/Current: The dentist holds a valid license and is authorized to practice in Delaware.
Expired: The license was not renewed and is not currently valid for practice.
Inactive: The license is on record, but the dentist is not currently practicing under it.
Suspended: The Board has temporarily removed the dentist's ability to practice, usually as part of a disciplinary matter.
Revoked: The Board has permanently terminated the license after a serious violation.
Restricted (Permit I/II): Some Delaware dental licensees hold restricted permits with limited scopes of practice rather than a full unrestricted license — this isn't necessarily a red flag, but reflects a specific practice category (for example, a Dentist Community Health license tied to practice at a Federally Qualified Health Center).
Because Delaware issues several distinct dental license categories (Dentist, Dentist Academic, Dentist Community Health, Dental Resident, and various permits), pay attention to the license type shown, not just the status label, to understand what a provider is actually authorized to do.
How to Interpret Disciplinary Actions or Public Complaints
The Board of Dentistry and Dental Hygiene's core mission is to protect the public from unsafe and unprofessional practice, and it has statutory authority under 24 Del. C., Chapter 11 to investigate and discipline licensees. If you want to look further into a dentist's history:
Attend or review minutes from a Board meeting, all of which are open to the public and listed on the state's public meeting calendar
File a complaint through DELPROS's "File a Complaint" feature if you believe a dentist or dental practice has violated licensing law or is practicing without a required license
Contact DPR directly at (302) 744-4500 or [email protected] for more context on a specific record
Delaware has also publicly warned licensees and the public about scam calls from people falsely claiming to be investigators or board officials, sometimes spoofing DPR's own phone number. Always verify concerns through the official DPR contact information rather than responding to an unsolicited call.
What to Do If a Dentist's Status Looks Inactive, Suspended, or Concerning
Confirm the license type and status together — some categories (like restricted permits) are normal, not concerning.
Call the Division of Professional Regulation at (302) 744-4500 if anything is unclear.
Check Board meeting minutes for context on any disciplinary matters.
File a complaint through DELPROS if you believe a licensing violation has occurred.
Choose a different provider if the license is confirmed expired, suspended, or revoked, since your care shouldn't depend on an unauthorized practitioner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Delaware's license lookup tool free?
Yes, the "Search and Verify License" feature on DELPROS is a free public service.
Do I need an account to search for a license?
No, searching and verifying a license is a public feature that doesn't require a DELPROS account; accounts are needed for licensees applying for or managing their own licenses.
Does the tool cover dental hygienists too?
Yes, it covers dentists, dentist academics, dental hygienists, dental residents, and related permit holders.
What if I get a suspicious call about a licensing issue?
Delaware has warned about scam calls impersonating investigators or board officials, sometimes spoofing DPR's real phone number. If you're contacted unexpectedly, verify independently by calling DPR directly or emailing [email protected].
Can I get an official written license verification?
Yes, Delaware offers a paid official verification service request through DELPROS, typically used for credentialing or employment purposes.
Closing Summary
Checking a dentist's license in Delaware is fast and free through the state's DELPROS "Search and Verify License" tool. Confirm the license is active, understand which license category applies, and reach out to the Division of Professional Regulation at (302) 744-4500 if anything looks unclear. A quick check now can help you feel confident before your next dental appointment.