State Board of Dentistry & PDA What’ s the Difference?
State Board of Dentistry 101
State Board of Dentistry 101
SBOD Defined
The Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry( SBOD) is a separate and distinct entity within the Department of State’ s Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs( BPOA), authorized by the state legislature to regulate the dental community.
It is comprised of:
eight dentists, one hygienist, one expanded function dental assistant and two public members, all appointed by the Governor.
The board also includes one representative each from the Attorney General’ s Office and Department of Health and the BPOA Commissioner.
PDA is just one of many stakeholders actively monitoring and responding to all SBOD issues, including the promulgation of new regulations for dental offices and licensees.
PDA staff and volunteer leaders attend all SBOD meetings and represent the interests of the dental community on licensing and regulatory issues.
The appointment process, and the State Board itself, operate independently of PDA and other dental membership organizations.
State Board of Dentistry & PDA What’ s the Difference?
Licenses dentists and hygienists. Certifies expanded function dental assistants.
Issues permits to allow dentists and hygienists to administer various levels of anesthesia.
Investigates complaints made against licensees or certificate holders.
Suspends and revokes licenses and certificates when disciplinary action occurs.
Levies fines and penalties on licensees when disciplinary action occurs.
Oversees dentists, hygienists and EFDAs to ensure compliance with licensure and certification requirements.
Develops standard of professional conduct, including continuing education requirements.
Promulgates regulations and policy statements to govern the dental profession.
SBOD PDA
Meetings are open to the public and held 10 times a year on Fridays in Harrisburg.
PDA is your advocate on these issues, but your participation is vital to representing the profession.
You have the power to influence the State Board’ s decisions on regulatory issues by responding to PDA’ s alerts that we send electronically via:
email, post on PDA’ s website and the news feed of our PDA Go mobile app.
We play an important role in the official regulatory process that involves other governmental offices and regulatory agencies.
Our role requires participation by all licensees impacted by the SBOD’ s actions.
That means you!
November 2023
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2025 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 27