File a Complaint
The following are options available in attempting to resolve problems with a dentist or dental hygienist:
OPTION 1: Discuss the complaint with the dentist, dental hygienist, or his or her supervisor. Dentists and dental hygienists are in most cases businesspeople and are sensitive to complaints about their services. You may feel reluctant to approach the dentist or dental hygienist or his or her supervisor about your dissatisfaction, but many complaints are resolved in this manner, and it might be your most convenient way to proceed.
OPTION 2: Your local Dental Society may have a peer review process. The process is confidential and available provided the complaint falls within peer review guidelines. For more information about this process and its guidelines, contact your local Dental Association Peer Review Committee. (Click here to be directed to local dental society)
OPTION 3: A consumer may have the option of retaining an attorney for the purposes of bringing a personal injury lawsuit or other legal action against a dentist or a dental hygienist.
OPTION 4: File a complaint with the Ohio State Dental Board.
The Board investigates the following:
1. Improper Prescribing, Dispensing, or Administering of Drugs
2. Minimal Standards of Care
3. Fraud, Misrepresentation, or Deception
4. Lewd and Immoral Conduct
5. Unlicensed Practice/ Permitting
6. Criminal Convictions
7. Impairment of Ability to Practice
8. Infection Control Violations
9. Continuing Education Violations
10. Miscellaneous Violations
If the Board finds that there has been a violation of the Dental Practice Act, it may choose one of the following formal disciplinary actions: *Some actions are not public record.
1. Reprimand of the licensee
2. Put the licensee on probation under a variety of terms
3. Limit/Restrict the practitioner’s license (limit the types of procedures that the licensee can perform)
4. Suspend the license
5. Permanently revoke the license
6. Warning letter*
7. Quality Intervention Program (QUIP)*
The Board has no jurisdiction over the following:
1. Billing or fee disputes (i.e., the amount a dentist charges for services). The Board does not have authority to order a licensee to refund fees paid by a patient or pay restitution or monetary damages to a patient.
2. Insurance Coverage
3. Personality conflicts
4. Bedside manner or rudeness of practitioners (such as the dentist or his/her office staff’s attitude or professionalism)
5. HIPAA Violations (This falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government.)
6. Scheduling Issues
7. Employee/Employer disputes
The Ohio State Dental Board appreciates your willingness to provide information on a potential violation of the Dental Practice Act. You are providing a public service to the citizens of the state of Ohio through the filing of your complaint.
Please understand that Ohio State Dental Board investigations and the records pertaining to these investigations are confidential by law. Consequently, the OSDB will not be able to provide you with (1) any information as to whether an active investigation will be opened regarding the matter you reported or (2) if an active investigation is opened, the status of that investigation.
There is a 15 day turn around for assigning cases to an investigator. Please be aware they are worked in the order in which they are received.