On average, state dental boards suspend only 0.1 percent of dentists' licenses each year, according to a USA Today analysis.
In 2018, state dental boards — which are typically made up of dentists — revoked or suspended only 225 licenses nationwide, or 0.1 percent of all dentists, according to HHS data cited by USA Today. Ten state boards didn't suspend a single dentist in 2018.
USA Today and Newsy wrote a joint feature exemplifying dental board suspensions, focusing on the Ohio state dental board, while noting that evaluations can be difficult because board information is public only if formal action is taken. The Ohio board consists of 10 dentists and two hygienists, and oversees 36,000 licensed professionals, of whom 7,500 are dentists.
The Ohio dental board dismissed 374 complaints and suspended 12 licenses last year. Seven of the suspensions were dental professionals being criminally charged, while two others were dentists who admitted to illegally prescribing drugs.
In 2019, 231 complaints were made to the Ohio dental board about standard of care, and at least 15 of those were about overtreatment. Only one dentist, who was also accused of illegally prescribing drugs, had his license suspended for overtreating patients.