Oregon Revised Statutes
As used in this chapter and ORS 680.010 to 680.205, unless the context requires otherwise: “Dental assistant” means a person who, under the supervision of a dentist or dental therapist, renders assistance to a dentist, dental therapist, dental hygienist, dental technician or another dental assistant or who, under the supervision of a dental hygienist, rende…
A person may not practice dentistry without a license. Only a person licensed as a dentist by the Oregon Board of Dentistry may own, operate, conduct or maintain a dental practice, office or clinic in this state. The restrictions of subsection (2) of this section, as they relate to owning and operating a dental office or clinic, do not apply to a dental of…
ORS 679.020 (4)(a) does not apply to institutions or programs accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association to provide education and training. Institutions or programs described in subsection (1) of this section must: Maintain a list of the dentists of record that provide dental care in a dental clinic or office ow…
A person may not practice dentistry or purport to be a dentist without a valid license to practice dentistry issued by the Oregon Board of Dentistry. Subsection (1) of this section does not apply to: Dentists licensed in another state or country making a clinical presentation sponsored by a bona fide dental society or association or an accredited dental ed…
The Attorney General, or the prosecuting attorney of any county, or the Oregon Board of Dentistry, in its own name, may maintain an action for an injunction against any person violating any provision of ORS 679.020, 679.025, 679.170 or 679.176. Any person who has been so enjoined may be punished for contempt by the court issuing the injunction. An injunction…
If a reputable and duly licensed practitioner in dentistry of another state or country is asked to appear and demonstrate, receive or give instruction in the practice of dentistry before any qualified dental college or dental organization or dental study group recognized by the Oregon Board of Dentistry, the secretary of the board shall issue on written requ…
Any person desiring to practice dentistry in this state shall file an application with the Oregon Board of Dentistry. At the time of making the application, the applicant shall: Pay to the board the required application and examination fee. Furnish the board with evidence satisfactory to the board of details of any convictions recorded in any police recor…
An applicant for a dental license shall be entitled to take the examination to practice dentistry in Oregon if the applicant: Is 18 years of age or older; and Is a graduate of a dental school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association or its successor agency, if any, which must have been approved by the Oregon B…
The Oregon Board of Dentistry may administer written, laboratory or clinical examinations to test professional knowledge and skills. The examination must be elementary and practical in character but sufficiently thorough to test the fitness of the applicant to practice dentistry. It must include, written in the English language, questions on any subjects pe…
The Oregon Board of Dentistry may adopt rules requiring additional education and examination of applicants who have failed the licensing examination three times.
The Oregon Board of Dentistry shall, upon the applicant’s satisfactory completion of the educational requirements and written, laboratory and clinical examinations authorized under this chapter and upon receipt of the requisite fees, issue or renew the appropriate dental license.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the Oregon Board of Dentistry shall issue a dental instructor’s license to practice dentistry to any person who furnishes the board with evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant meets the requirements of subsection (2) of this section. An applicant for a dental instructor’s license must be a …
The Oregon Board of Dentistry may impose application fees for the following: Examinations, which may differ for general dentistry, foreign school graduate and specialty examinations. Biennial dentist license, active. Biennial dentist license, inactive. Permits and certificates. Delinquency. Subject to prior approval of the Oregon Department of Administ…
The Oregon Board of Dentistry may discipline as provided in this section any person licensed to practice dentistry in this state for any of the following causes: Conviction of any violation of the law for which the court could impose a punishment if the board makes the finding required by ORS 670.280. The record of conviction or a certified copy thereof, ce…
Any licensee who has been disciplined by the Oregon Board of Dentistry may obtain judicial review of the decision in the manner prescribed by ORS chapter 183. Notwithstanding ORS 676.210, enforcement of the board’s disciplinary order pending appeal shall be determined pursuant to ORS 183.482 (3).
The entry of a judgment by any court establishing the mental disorder of any person holding a license under this chapter operates as a suspension of such license. Such person may resume practice only upon a finding by the Oregon Board of Dentistry that the licensee has been declared restored to mental competence by an order of a court of competent jurisdicti…
A person may not: Sell or barter, or offer to sell or barter, any diploma or document conferring or purporting to confer any dental degree, or any certificate or transcript made or purporting to be made, pursuant to the laws regulating the license and registration of dentists. Purchase or procure by barter, any diploma, certificate or transcript described …
As used in this section: “Sub-work order” means a written instrument by which a dental laboratory registered under ORS 679.710 subcontracts all or part of the work directed to be done by a work order prescribed by a dentist licensed under ORS chapter 679. “Work order” has the meaning given that term in ORS 679.700. A dentist may not use the services of an…
The district attorney of each county shall attend to the prosecution of all criminal complaints made under this chapter and may represent the Oregon Board of Dentistry in any proceeding brought pursuant to ORS 679.027 upon a complaint, information or indictment filed against any person under this chapter, or upon request of the board. However, nothing in thi…
The Oregon Board of Dentistry consists of 10 members appointed by the Governor and subject to confirmation by the Senate in the manner provided in ORS 171.562 and 171.565. All members of the board must be residents of this state. Of the members of the board: Six must be Oregon active licensed dentists, of which at least one must be a dentist practicing in a…
The powers and duties of the Oregon Board of Dentistry are as follows: To, during the month of April of each year, organize and elect from its membership a president who shall hold office for one year, or until the election and qualification of a successor. To authorize all necessary disbursements to carry out the provisions of this chapter, including but …
For the purpose of requesting a state or nationwide criminal records check under ORS 181A.195, the Oregon Board of Dentistry may require the fingerprints of a person who: Is employed or applying for employment by the board in a position in which the person has or will have access to information that is made confidential under state or federal laws, rules or…
The Oregon Medical Board and the Oregon State Board of Nursing, in consultation with the Oregon Board of Dentistry, shall adopt rules establishing standards governing their respective licensees for general anesthesia and conscious sedation administered in conjunction with the professional services of a dentist or dental hygienist.
The Oregon Board of Dentistry Account is established in the State Treasury separate and distinct from the General Fund. All moneys received by the Oregon Board of Dentistry under this chapter shall be paid to the State Treasury and credited to the Oregon Board of Dentistry Account. Any interest or other income derived from moneys paid into the account shall…
The Oregon Board of Dentistry may appoint a consultant or a committee or committees, each consisting of one or more licensed dentists in this state, to study and report to the board the condition of and dental treatment rendered to any person or persons by any licensed dentist or dentists in this state or by any person purporting to practice dentistry in thi…
If a person fails to comply with any subpoena issued under ORS 679.250 (8), a judge of the circuit court of any county, on application of the executive director of the Oregon Board of Dentistry, shall compel obedience by proceedings for contempt as in the case of disobedience of the requirements of a subpoena issued from the circuit court. In any proceeding…
All data shall be privileged and shall not be admissible in evidence in any judicial proceeding, but this section shall not affect the admissibility in evidence of a party’s records dealing with a party’s care and treatment. A person serving on or communicating information to a committee described in subsection (4) of this section shall not be examined as t…
Unless state or federal laws relating to confidentiality or the protection of health information prohibit disclosure, any dentist or dental hygienist, or any person licensed by the Oregon Board of Dentistry, shall report to the board any suspected violation of this chapter or ORS 680.010 to 680.205 or any rule adopted by the board. Unless state or federal l…
Any information provided to the Oregon Board of Dentistry as the basis of a complaint or in the investigation thereof shall not be subject to public disclosure during the period of investigation. Any person who reports or provides information to the board and who does so in good faith shall not be subject to an action for civil damages as a result thereof.
Upon the request of an individual who has been disciplined by the Oregon Board of Dentistry, the board shall remove from its website and other publicly accessible print and electronic publications under the board’s control all information related to disciplining the individual under ORS 679.140 and any findings and conclusions made by the board during the di…
The Oregon Board of Dentistry shall convene an advisory committee of at least seven members to study the dental assistant workforce shortage and to review the requirements for dental assistant certification in other states. The committee shall provide advice to the board on a quarterly basis on how to address the dental assistant workforce shortage in this s…
A dentist licensed to practice dentistry in this state may administer local anesthesia to a person for the purposes of receiving permanent lip color from a person licensed to perform tattooing under ORS 690.350 to 690.410 or having permanent hair removal in the lip area from a person licensed to perform electrolysis under ORS 690.350 to 690.410. Prior to ad…
For the purposes of this section, “retired dentist” means a person who is retired from active practice except for the practice of dentistry without remuneration as a volunteer. Subject to availability of funding, the Oregon Department of Administrative Services shall establish a program to purchase and maintain liability insurance for retired dentists. Insu…
A dentist who places in or removes from the human oral cavity dental materials containing mercury shall: Implement and maintain best management practices of dental wastes as developed by the Oregon Dental Association to prevent amalgam waste and mercury from entering the air, sewage systems, waterways and garbage; Have an amalgam separator installed on a w…
Each dental facility constructed on or after January 1, 2008, shall have amalgam separators that meet the requirements of ORS 679.520 (1)(b). Note: 679.525 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 679 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further exp…
Note: 679.530 is repealed July 1, 2026. See sections 18 and 19, chapter 199, Oregon Laws 2025. 679.530 (2023 Edition) is set forth for the user’s convenience. 679.530. Information about oral prosthetic devices. Dental technicians shall, upon request by a dentist or patient, provide the dentist or patient with information about the location where oral prosth…
A person licensed by the Oregon Board of Dentistry who uses an autoclave or other heat sterilization device in the person’s practice shall test the autoclave or other heat sterilization device at least once per week to ensure that the device is functioning properly. The Oregon Board of Dentistry shall adopt rules to implement this section.
As used in this section: “Dental provider” means a licensed dentist, dental hygienist or other dental practitioner or a dental care team or clinic that provides the following core services: Comprehensive dental care; Basic preventive dental services; Referral to dental specialists; and Family centered dental care. “Health worker” means “traditional hea…
As used in this section, “telehealth” means a variety of methods, through the use of electronic and telecommunications technologies, for the distance delivery of health care services, including dental care services, and clinical information designed to improve a patient’s health status and to enhance delivery of the health care services and clinical informat…
A dentist licensed by the Oregon Board of Dentistry may advertise that the dentist is a specialist in one or more areas of dentistry if the dentist: Has completed a post-doctoral residency program that is at least two years in length and is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, or its successor organization, and approved by the board by rule…
For the purposes of any civil action against a person licensed by the Oregon Board of Dentistry or against a dental office or clinic, health care institution, health care facility or other entity that employs or grants the person privileges, any expression of regret or apology made by or on behalf of the person, office, clinic, institution, facility or entit…
In accordance with rules adopted by the Oregon Board of Dentistry, a dentist may prescribe and administer vaccines to a person with whom the dentist has established a patient relationship. The board shall approve a training course on the prescription and administration of vaccines. The board may approve a training course offered by the Centers for Disease C…
In adopting rules related to the requirements for certification as a dental assistant, including any type of expanded function dental assistant, the Oregon Board of Dentistry may require an applicant for certification to pass a written examination. If passage of a written examination is required for certification as a dental assistant, including any type of …
As used in ORS 679.600 to 679.630: “Collaborative agreement” means a written and signed agreement entered into between a dentist and a dental therapist under ORS 679.618. “Dental pilot project” means an Oregon Health Authority dental pilot project developed and operated by the authority. “Dentist” means a person licensed to practice dentistry under this c…
The Oregon Board of Dentistry shall issue a license to practice dental therapy to an applicant who: Is at least 18 years of age; Submits to the board a completed application form; Demonstrates: The completion of a dental therapy education program that is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, or its succe…
The Oregon Board of Dentistry may require an applicant for a license to practice dental therapy to pass written, laboratory or clinical examinations to test the professional knowledge and skills of the applicant. The examinations may not be affiliated with or administered by a dental pilot project or a dental therapy education program described in ORS 679.6…
The Oregon Board of Dentistry may refuse to issue or renew a license to practice dental therapy if the applicant or licensee: Subject to ORS 670.280, has been convicted of a violation of the law. A certified copy of the record of conviction is conclusive evidence of conviction. Has been disciplined by a state licensing or regulatory agency of this state or…
A person may not practice dental therapy or assume or use any title, words or abbreviations, including the title or designation “dental therapist,” that indicate that the person is authorized to practice dental therapy unless the person is licensed under ORS 679.603. Subsection (1) of this section does not prohibit: The practice of dental therapy by a heal…
The Oregon Board of Dentistry may impose nonrefundable fees for the following: Application for licensure; Examinations; Biennial dental therapy licenses, both active and inactive; Licensure renewal fees; Permits; and Delinquency. Subject to prior approval of the Oregon Department of Administrative Services, the fees and charges established under ORS 6…
A dental therapist may practice dental therapy only under the supervision of a dentist and pursuant to a collaborative agreement with the dentist that outlines the supervision logistics and requirements for the dental therapist’s practice. The collaborative agreement must include at least the following information: The level of supervision required for each…
A dental therapist may perform, pursuant to the dental therapist’s collaborative agreement, the following procedures under the general supervision of the dentist: Identification of conditions requiring evaluation, diagnosis or treatment by a dentist, a physician licensed under ORS chapter 677, a nurse practitioner licensed under ORS 678.375 to 678.390 or ot…
A dental therapist may perform the procedures listed in ORS 679.621 so long as the procedures are included in an education program described in ORS 679.603 (1) or the dental therapist has received additional training in the procedure approved by the Oregon Board of Dentistry. A dental therapist shall purchase and maintain liability insurance as determined s…
A person licensed under ORS 679.603 is subject to the provisions of ORS 679.140.
The Oregon Board of Dentistry shall adopt rules necessary to administer ORS 679.600 to 679.630. In adopting rules under this section, the board shall consult with dental therapists and organizations that represent dental therapists in this state. DENTAL LABORATORIES
As used in ORS 679.700 to 679.720: “Certified dental laboratory technician” means a dental laboratory technician who is certified by the National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology, or its successor organization, as approved by the Health Licensing Office by rule. “Dental laboratory” means a facility where one or more dental laboratory…
A dental laboratory may not operate or do business in this state unless the dental laboratory holds an active registration issued by the Health Licensing Office under ORS 679.710. A dental laboratory is considered to operate or do business in this state if the dental laboratory is physically located within this state or prepares work product pursuant to a w…
The Health Licensing Office may issue a dental laboratory registration to an applicant that submits a completed application and pays the fee established under ORS 676.576. The application must include: The name, mailing address, phone number and electronic mail address of the dental laboratory; The physical address of the dental laboratory if different tha…
A dental laboratory registered under ORS 679.710 shall provide to a prescribing dentist who submits a work order to the dental laboratory: A material content disclosure for each dental prosthetic appliance or other artificial material or device in a manner that is easily entered into the patient record; and The point of origin of the manufacture of each de…
In the manner prescribed in ORS chapter 183 for contested cases, the Health Licensing Office may impose a form of discipline listed in ORS 676.612 against a dental laboratory registered under ORS 679.710 for any violation of ORS 679.700 to 679.720 or rules adopted under ORS 679.700 to 679.720 or for the commission of a prohibited act described in ORS 676.612…
The Health Licensing Office may adopt rules to carry out ORS 679.700 to 679.720. Note: 679.730 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 679 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.
PENALTIES
Violation of any provision of ORS 679.020 or 679.025 (1) is a Class C felony. Violation of ORS 679.170 or 679.176 is a Class B misdemeanor. In the event of a second or subsequent conviction under subsection (1) of this section, the court must impose a minimum sentence of 10 days of imprisonment. In any prosecution for violation of subsection (1) or (2) of…
Violation of ORS 679.705 is a Class B violation. Note: 679.994 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 679 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation. _______________