To run an Arkansas dental license lookup, use the free verification tool maintained by the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners (ASBDE). The search is hosted at search.statesolutions.us and is also linked from the Board’s page on healthy.arkansas.gov under “License Verification.”1Arkansas Department of Health. Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners It covers every credential the Board issues: dental licenses, hygiene licenses, and dental assisting permits.2Arkansas Department of Health. Dental Assistants Registration
How to Run the Search
You only need to fill in one field to get a result. The tool accepts a license number, a last name, a city, or a zip code.
- License number is the fastest and most precise. If you have it from a receipt or an office document, start there.
- Last name accepts partial entries, so the first few letters will pull matches when you’re unsure of the spelling.
- City narrows results to a specific location, useful when you’re looking for a provider nearby rather than checking a known name.
- Zip code works the same way as city.
For common last names, add a city or zip to keep the results manageable. Each result shows the practitioner’s license type, location, and current status.
Reading the Result
The status field is the piece that tells you whether the person can legally treat you.
- Active means all requirements are met and the practitioner can practice without restriction. This is what you want to see.
- Inactive means the person is not currently authorized to practice. The license can often be reactivated after outstanding CE and a renewal fee, but until then, treating patients is not permitted.
- Probationary means the practitioner can still see patients but is operating under conditions the Board has imposed, usually after a disciplinary matter.
- Suspended means the practitioner is temporarily barred from all dental practice as a disciplinary measure under the Dental Practice Act.3Arkansas Department of Health. Arkansas Code – Dental Practice Act
- Revoked means the license has been permanently taken away, typically for serious misconduct.
If the name doesn’t turn up at all, treat that as a warning. The person may never have held an Arkansas license, or the record may have been removed after revocation. Call the Board before scheduling treatment.
What Each Credential Covers
A dental license authorizes a fully licensed dentist to diagnose, treat, and prescribe. A hygiene license covers dental hygienists, who perform cleanings, take X-rays, and provide preventive care under a dentist’s supervision. A dental assisting permit is narrower and authorizes expanded duties such as dental X-rays, coronal polishing, and nitrous oxide monitoring; assistants cannot perform those tasks without a current Board-issued permit.2Arkansas Department of Health. Dental Assistants Registration An assistant doing any of those things without a permit is practicing illegally.
Reporting a Problem
If the lookup reveals something wrong, or if you’ve had a concerning experience with a provider, the ASBDE takes complaints online. The complaint page walks you through describing the incident, identifying the practitioner, and authorizing the Board to obtain your dental records for its investigation.4Arkansas Department of Health. Complaint and Feedback The Board can impose fines of up to $1,000 per violation for breaches of the Dental Practice Act.5FindLaw. Arkansas Code 17-82-316
The Board does not handle billing disputes, insurance disagreements, or claims for monetary damages.4Arkansas Department of Health. Complaint and Feedback For money issues, small claims court or your insurance carrier’s appeals process is the right path.
If your search returns nothing and you believe someone is practicing without any license, Arkansas law treats unlicensed dental practice as a criminal offense, with each day of continued violation counted as a separate offense.6Justia. Arkansas Code 17-82-104 – Unlawful Practice Report suspected unlicensed practice to the ASBDE.
A Note on Out-of-State Providers
Arkansas enacted the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact in 2025, and the compact reached its activation threshold that same year. Privileges are not yet being issued, and implementation is expected to take 18 to 24 months from activation.7Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact. Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact Until compact privileges go live, every dentist, hygienist, or assistant practicing in Arkansas needs a standard state-issued license or permit, and that record should appear in the ASBDE database.