How to File a Complaint

If you have a complaint concerning patient care, unprofessional conduct or fraud, etc., please provide the following information:

1. Your complete name, address and phone number (include work number if available).
2. The complete name, address and phone number of the dentist involved in the complaint.
3. The complete name, address and phone number of any other dentists you have seen for follow-up care.
4. A narrative explanation of what has happened and when (what prompted a complaint about the dentist?).
5. Provide copies of any information pertaining to the complaint (i.e. insurance explanation of benefits, billing statements).
6. Be sure to sign your complaint letter.
7. Mail your complaint to the address below:

Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners
101 East Capitol Avenue, Suite 111
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201

Upon delivery of your complaint at the ASBDE, the following will occur:

1. Your complaint will be acknowledged within 10 days
2. Usually, the dentist complained about will be contacted for his/her explanation.
3. If, after investigation, it appears that a violation of the Dental Practice Act has occurred, a Board action will follow.
4. Depending upon the evidence, your complaint may be dismissed or the licensee may be found in violation of the Dental Practice Act.
5. If a violation has occurred, the Board may impose a penalty ranging from a fine, or probation, to license revocation.
6. If no obvious violation has occurred, your options would be the civil courts or the Arkansas State Dental Association's Peer Review Committee.

All complaints/investigations are processed. You will be informed of the progress of your complaint at no more than 90-day intervals.

The ASBDE's purpose is to protect the public by enforcing the Dental Practice Act. One of its primary enforcement tools is sanctions against professionals who hold licenses issued by the ASBDE.

Recovery of money for personal damages is beyond the scope of the ASBDE's authority.

If you would like to know if there are complaints and/or disciplinary actions against a particular dentist, please click here to download the Complaint Information Request Form in PDF format. You must mail, fax or email the form to our office and you should receive a response shortly. Note: The form is designed to be filled out electronically.

PDF forms require the Free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view or print. Click the icon or the link above to download the free program.