How the Dental Board of California Investigates Complaints

Nicole Irmer | Posted in Healthcare License Defense on October 16, 2026

Dentists and other dental professionals licensed in California are held to high standards that are designed to protect both patients and the public. When someone believes that a dentist has violated those standards, they may file a complaint with the Dental Board of California (DBC). A complaint can lead to a review of the dentist’s conduct, requests for patient records, evaluation by a dental consultant, and in some cases, a formal investigation and disciplinary action.

For a dentist, learning that the Dental Board is reviewing a complaint can be stressful and possibly career-altering. Even a complaint that ultimately does not result in discipline may require significant time, documentation, and professional attention. Understanding how the DBC investigates complaints can help dentists know what to expect and why it is so important to respond appropriately with the help of a California dental license defense attorney.

The Law Offices of Nicole Irmer represents licensed professionals facing disciplinary issues and related licensing concerns. If you have received notice of a Dental Board complaint or investigation, getting legal advice early can help you understand your rights and prepare an appropriate response. Contact our law firm today to schedule a confidential consultation with an experienced California healthcare license defense lawyer.

What Does the Dental Board of California Investigate?

The Dental Board of California licenses and regulates dentists, registered dental assistants (RDAs), and registered dental assistants in extended functions (RDAEFs). It also oversees certain permits and other aspects of dental practice. The Board’s enforcement activities are focused on protecting the public and enforcing the California Dental Practice Act (DPA).

Not every disagreement between a patient and dental office falls within the Board’s jurisdiction. The Dental Board cannot resolve ordinary fee or billing disputes, insurance coverage disagreements, reimbursement issues, general administrative office procedures, or complaints based solely on something like rude behavior. These matters may need to be addressed through other channels.

However, the Dental Board does investigate and respond to alleged violations of the DPA, including:

• Gross negligence or incompetence
• Substandard quality of dental care
• Substance abuse while practicing dentistry
• Fraud
• Improper advertising
• Improper use of a fictitious or false name
• Unlicensed practice

Depending on the circumstances, the Dental Board may investigate other allegations as well. For example, if a dentist is charged with a DUI or other criminal offense, the DBC may investigate those allegations.

How the Dental Board Investigates Complaints

The investigation process involves multiple steps. Importantly, dental professionals should not assume that a complaint will be dismissed just because they believe that it lacks merit. Any complaint could potentially impact your licensure and ability to practice, so it is always a good idea to consult with a California professional license defense attorney as soon as you learn about a complaint or investigation.

The investigation process typically follows these steps:

• A Complaint Is Submitted to the Dental Board: A complaint may be submitted through the California Department of Consumer Affairs’ BreEZ online system or by submitting a complaint through the Dental Board’s consumer complaint form. This form asks for specific information about the dentist involved, the treatment at issue, subsequent treating dentists, dates of treatment, and any supporting evidence. At this stage, it is important for dentists to understand that a complaint is an allegation, not a finding of wrongdoing. 
• The Board Reviews the Complaint: Once a complaint is filed, the Dental Board will confirm receipt within 10 days. A Consumer Services Analyst (CSA) then evaluates the allegations and determines whether the matter falls within the Board’s authority. If the allegations concern conduct outside the Dental Board’s jurisdiction, the complaint may be closed or referred to another agency or organization. If the allegations involve a potential violation of the DPA, the Board may investigate further.
• The Board Requests Records and Other Information: If the complaint falls within the DBC’s jurisdiction, Board staff may request dental records and other information relevant to the complaint, such as treatment records, diagnostic materials, correspondence, photographs, billing information, and consent documentation. For a patient care complaint, the Board may request records from the dentist who is the subject of the complaint, as well as from other dentists who subsequently treated the patient for the same problem. If you receive a request for records or a request for an interview from the Dental Board, you should not ignore it. Instead, you should reach out to a California dental license defense lawyer to develop a strategy for responding.
• A Dental Consultant Reviews the Case: After the Board obtains relevant records and information, the complaint may be sent to an independent dental consultant. They will review the allegations and supporting documentation to determine whether there may be a violation of the Dental Practice Act. In other words, a consultant will examine the evidence to determine whether professional standards of care were met and all applicable laws and regulations were followed. This professional analysis can be particularly important in cases involving allegations of negligence, incompetence, or substandard dental treatment. For example, a patient may believe that a treatment outcome was unacceptable, but a dental consultant may determine that the treatment met the standard of care for the profession. A poor outcome does not automatically establish professional misconduct, so this review is often critical in Board investigations.
• The Board Determines If Further Investigation Is Warranted: After the complaint and supporting information have been evaluated, the Dental Board will determine what action is appropriate. If the evidence does not establish a violation of the DPA, the case may be closed. A case may also be closed because the Dental Board lacks jurisdiction or because there is insufficient evidence to support disciplinary action. If there is sufficient evidence to indicate that a dentist may have violated the DPA and that the violation warrants formal disciplinary action, the matter may be assigned to a Board investigator. The Board may also decide to impose informal discipline for less serious violations, such as a Letter of Advisement, an informal conference, or a citation and fine. 
• A Formal Investigation Begins: The Dental Board’s enforcement structure includes an Investigative Analysis Unit and a Discipline Coordination Unit. If the initial complaint warrants further investigation, then a Board investigator may review records, gather additional evidence, request interviews, evaluate professional standards, and examine whether the evidence supports an allegation of professional misconduct. Some investigations focus heavily on clinical care and patient records, while others focus on advertising, fraud, substance abuse, sanitation, licensing, professional boundaries, or other alleged violations of the Dental Practice Act. 
• The Board Takes Action: Depending on the results of the investigation, the Dental Board may close the case or file a formal Accusation. If an Accusation is filed, then the matter will be resolved through a stipulated settlement or through a hearing before an administrative law judge. If the case proceeds to the Accusation stage, then the DBC may issue different levels of discipline, including:
  • Citation
  • Public reprimand
  • Probation
  • Suspension
  • Revocation

Because the consequences of disciplinary action are so severe, it is vital that any dental professional who learns about a complaint or investigation has legal counsel. A California healthcare license defense attorney can put together a multi-pronged strategy that is designed to achieve a favorable outcome. While discipline cannot be avoided in every case, it may be possible to get a better result through investigation, presentation of mitigating and rehabilitation evidence, and a smart legal defense.

When Should You Contact a California Dental License Defense Lawyer? 

You do not have to wait until the Dental Board files formal disciplinary charges before seeking legal advice. If you receive notice of a complaint, a request for records, a request for an interview, or any other correspondence indicating that the Dental Board is reviewing your conduct, you should talk to an attorney. You should never speak to an investigator without legal counsel, as anything that you say to them could be used against you in the disciplinary process and potentially in a criminal case.

Early legal guidance can be particularly important when the allegations involve:

• Professional negligence or incompetence
• Patient injury
• Fraud or insurance-related allegations
• Substance abuse 
• Improper advertising
• Potential criminal conduct
• Alleged violations of informed consent or professional standards
• Unlicensed practice
• Repeated complaints
• Any conduct that could put your dental license at risk

The appropriate strategy for your case will depend on the facts. In some situations, providing a clear factual response and supporting documentation may help to resolve the complaint. In other cases, a more extensive defense may be necessary to protect your license and livelihood.

Dental Board complaints are considered confidential while the investigation is ongoing. However, if the Board takes disciplinary action or law enforcement files criminal charges, the information contained in the complaint will become public. This is another good reason why it makes sense to work with a California dental license defense attorney early in the process.

Protecting Your California Dental License

A Dental Board complaint can begin with an unhappy patient and develop into a much bigger professional licensing matter. As the Board investigation progresses, you may have the opportunity to defend your actions and protect your license. Our law firm can help.

If you are facing a complaint or investigation by the Dental Board of California, the Law Office of Nicole Irmer can help you understand the process and evaluate your options. An investigation does not automatically mean that a violation occurred, but it should be taken seriously from the outset. For additional information, please feel free to call the Law Office of Nicole Irmer at (619) 237-6130 or click here to schedule a confidential consultation with a California healthcare license defense lawyer.