The practice of dentistry and dental hygiene is primarily regulated at the state level in the form of professional licensure. In Kentucky, that authority is granted to the Board of Dentistry under
Chapter 313 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS). Known as the Dental Practice Act, this particular chapter of state law establishes the Board, defines its role, scope, and authority, and then delegates to it most of the actual rulemaking. This rulemaking is conducted through the administrative regulations process, which authorizes the Board to fill in the broad framework of KRS 313 with specific requirements and processes. The regulations established by the Board of Dentistry are found in Title 201,
Chapter 8 of the Kentucky Administrative Regulations (KAR) and have the force of law.
Board of Dentistry Statutes
Board of Dentistry Regulations
Other Statutes & Regulations
While
KRS 313 and
201 KAR 8 are home to the requirements specific to oral health practitioners, other statutes and regulations will also apply based on one's status as a prescriber, employer, insurance biller, or other regulated entity. For example, KRS 218A regulates controlled substances for all prescribers in Kentucky, including dentists. Although the following list is provided as a resource, it is not comprehensive. It is your responsibility to know which rules apply to you.
Statutes
- KRS 12.355 Renewal of Professional License Held by Active Duty Member of Armed Forces
- KRS 218A Controlled Substances Act
- KRS 422.317 Copies of Medical Records
- KRS 438.065 Advertising or Soliciting by Practitioner of Healing Arts
- KRS 620.030 Duty to Report Dependency, Neglect, Abuse
Regulations
- 902 KAR 55:110 Monitoring Program for Prescription Controlled Substances
- 902 KAR 55:130 Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances
Advisory Opinions
KRS 313.021 authorizes the Board of Dentistry to issue formal advisory opinions that interpret the statutes and regulations under the Board's jurisdiction. Further, 201 KAR 8:510 establishes procedures for the submission, consideration, and disposition of public requests for advisory opinions. To request an opinion, please use the Advisory Opinion Request Form.
Published Opinions
Please note that while advisory opinions represent formal positions held by the Board, they are not specifically codified in regulation or statute and, therefore, do not necessarily carry the force of law.
- Advisory Opinion 23-01 - Opinion and declaratory ruling on dental hygienist scope of practice in relation to Botox injections (Issued 09/09/2023)
- Advisory Opinion 22-01 - Opinion and declaratory ruling on clinical demonstrations as an exception to licensure requirements (Issued 09/21/2022)
- Advisory Opinion 21-01 - Opinion and declaratory ruling on the provision of vaccinations as dentistry (Issued 07/28/2021)
- Advisory Opinion 07-01/11-02 - Opinion and declaratory ruling on the placement of dermal fillers as dentistry (Issued 08/08/2007; reaffirmed 11/12/2011)
Please note that this list does not include published advisory opinions that have since been superseded or rendered null by subsequent revisions to the Dental Practice Act or its associated regulations.