How a New Jersey dentist loses the right to practice
A dentist's license in New Jersey can be suspended by the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry when the dentist has violated professional rules or state dental laws. Suspension is temporary — the dentist cannot legally practice dentistry during the suspension period, but the license itself is not permanently revoked. The Board investigates complaints, holds hearings, and issues orders that specify how long the suspension lasts and what conditions, if any, must be met before the dentist can return to practice.
Suspension is different from revocation, which is permanent. A suspended license can be reinstated once the suspension period ends or once the dentist meets the Board's conditions. The Board publishes disciplinary actions on its website, so the public can search for any dentist's disciplinary history.
Key Takeaways
- The New Jersey State Board of Dentistry suspends licenses for violations of dental practice laws, patient safety breaches, or professional misconduct.
- A suspended dentist cannot legally perform any dental work during the suspension period, and patients must find a new dentist.
- Suspension is temporary and can end when the suspension period expires or when the dentist meets conditions set by the Board.
- You can search the Board's disciplinary database online to see whether a dentist has a suspension or other disciplinary history.
- A suspended dentist may request a hearing to challenge the suspension or may petition for early reinstatement if circumstances change.
Common reasons the Board suspends a dentist's license
The New Jersey State Board of Dentistry suspends licenses for violations that harm patients or undermine public trust in dental practice. These include failure to maintain proper patient records, performing procedures without informed consent, substance abuse that affects patient care, sexual misconduct, fraud in billing or credentials, and repeated violations of infection control standards. The Board also suspends licenses when a dentist is convicted of a crime related to the practice of dentistry or when a dentist fails to report another dentist's misconduct.
Suspension can also result from practicing dentistry without a valid license, allowing an unlicensed person to perform dental work, or failing to maintain required continuing education. The Board investigates complaints from patients, other healthcare providers, and the public. Not every complaint leads to suspension — the Board must find evidence that the violation actually occurred and that it warrants suspension rather than a warning or fine.
How patients find out about a suspension
Patients may discover a dentist's suspension when they try to schedule an appointment and learn the office has closed or the dentist is no longer available. Some dentists notify their patients directly. Others do not, and patients may only learn about the suspension by checking the Board's disciplinary database or by calling the Board's office directly.
The New Jersey State Board of Dentistry maintains a searchable disciplinary database on its website where you can look up any dentist by name and see whether they have a suspension, revocation, or other disciplinary action on record. The database includes the date the action was issued, the reason for the suspension, and the length of the suspension. This is a public record, and you can access it without paying a fee.
What a suspended dentist must do
During a suspension, a dentist cannot legally perform any dental services, including cleanings, exams, or emergency care. The dentist's office may remain open for administrative purposes — answering phones, scheduling future appointments, or handling billing — but no clinical work can occur. Some dentists close their offices entirely during suspension.
The dentist must comply with all conditions set by the Board's suspension order. These conditions might include completing additional training, undergoing substance abuse treatment, submitting to random drug testing, or working under the supervision of another dentist. If the dentist fails to meet these conditions, the Board may extend the suspension or move toward revocation.
How long a suspension typically lasts
The length of a suspension depends on the severity of the violation and the dentist's disciplinary history. A first-time violation might result in a suspension of a few months to a year. More serious violations or repeated misconduct can lead to suspensions lasting several years. The Board's order specifies the exact end date of the suspension or the conditions that must be met for reinstatement.
Some suspensions are indefinite, meaning they continue until the dentist meets specific conditions — such as completing a treatment program or passing a re-examination. The dentist can petition the Board for early reinstatement if circumstances change or if the dentist believes the conditions have been met before the suspension period ends.
What happens when a suspension ends
When a suspension period expires, the dentist's license is automatically reinstated unless the Board has set additional conditions that must be completed first. The dentist can then legally resume dental practice. However, the disciplinary action remains part of the dentist's public record permanently — it does not disappear from the database after the suspension ends.
If the Board set conditions for reinstatement, the dentist must provide proof that those conditions were met before the license is restored. For example, if the suspension required the dentist to complete a continuing education course, the dentist must submit a certificate of completion. The Board reviews the proof and issues a reinstatement order if everything is in order.
How to find a new dentist if yours is suspended
If your dentist's license has been suspended, you will need to find a new provider. Ask your primary care doctor for a referral, contact your dental insurance company for in-network dentists in your area, or search the New Jersey Dental Association's directory. When you call a new dentist's office, ask how long they have been in practice and whether they accept your insurance.
Before choosing a new dentist, check their disciplinary record on the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry website. Request your dental records from your previous dentist's office — they are required by law to provide them within a reasonable time, even if the dentist is suspended. Your new dentist will need these records to understand your dental history and continue your care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if my dentist was suspended and I paid for future treatment?
You may be may have access to to a refund depending on the circumstances and the dentist's office policies. Contact the dentist's office in writing and request a refund for any treatment not yet provided. If the office does not respond, you can file a complaint with the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry, which may order the dentist to refund your money as part of disciplinary action.
How do I report a dentist I think is practicing while suspended?
Contact the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry directly by phone or through their website to report suspected unlicensed practice. Provide the dentist's name, the location where you believe they are practicing, and details about what you observed. The Board will investigate and take action if the report is substantiated.
Does a suspension show up on a background check?
A dental license suspension is a public disciplinary record and may appear on background checks that search professional licensing databases. It will definitely appear in the Board's searchable database. Employers, insurance companies, and the public can find this information.
Can a suspended dentist work as a dental hygienist or assistant?
No. A suspension of a dental license prohibits the person from performing any licensed dental work. However, the specific terms of the suspension order determine what other roles, if any, are permitted. Some suspension orders may allow limited administrative work, but this varies case by case.
What is the difference between suspension and revocation?
Suspension is temporary — the license is restored after the suspension period ends or conditions are met. Revocation is permanent — the license is cancelled and the person cannot practice dentistry in New Jersey again without going through the full licensing process from the beginning, which is rarely granted.