Before You Sit in the Dental Chair.

Not everyone offering dental services in Texas is licensed to do so.
An unlicensed provider can cause serious, permanent harm.
It takes less than a minute to check.

Some unlicensed providers charge less or promise faster appointments to get patients in the door. They may work out of homes, garages, hair salons, or flea markets, or advertise on social media for services like braces, veneers, crowns, or dentures. What they never tell you is that they have no legal right to touch your teeth.

“In March 2026, Houston police arrested a man accused of seeing dental patients inside his Sharpstown apartment. Officers found people waiting there for care.”
ABC13 Houston  |  See the news report
Where Illegal Dental Work Happens

Unlicensed providers often work in places that are not real dental offices. Watch out for dental services offered at:

▲ Private homes or apartments
▲ Garages
▲ Hair salons
▲ Flea markets
A real dental office is the only safe place to receive dental care. If someone is offering to work on your teeth anywhere else, walk away.
Tooth Gems: A Hidden Risk

Tooth gems and glue-on charms are a popular trend, especially on social media. Many people who apply them are not licensed dentists. What looks like a simple, fun add-on can carry serious risk.

▲ Putting a glue-on charm on your tooth may count as practicing dentistry.
▲ Taking one off is where the danger often shows up.
▲ If an untrained person removes a tooth gem the wrong way, it can damage your tooth.
▲ The tooth may become weak, chipped, or more likely to decay.
▲ What seems like a quick fix at a kiosk or salon could lead to damage that only a licensed dentist can fix.
If you want a tooth gem, ask a licensed dentist to apply and remove it safely.
In Texas, performing dental work without a license is a crime.
 
Need Low-Cost Dental Care? Help Is Available.

Do not let cost push you toward someone who is not licensed. Safe, affordable dental care exists in Texas. Community health centers, dental school clinics, and nonprofit programs across the state offer free or low-cost services to patients who need them.

To find a clinic near you, call 2-1-1. It is free, available 24 hours a day, and can connect you with dental care options in your area. You can also visit 211texas.org.

You deserve safe dental care. There are people who can help you find it.

Before You Make an Appointment, Ask Yourself:
⚠ Are the prices surprisingly low compared to other dental offices?
⚠ Do they work out of a home, salon, flea market, or any place that is not a real dental office?
⚠ Do they advertise on a personal social media page with no link to a licensed dental office?
⚠ Do they claim to offer only “cosmetic” services while actually working on your teeth?
⚠ Do they refuse to give you their location until after you have already agreed to come in?
If any of these sound familiar, stop. You may be dealing with an unlicensed provider. Trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is. Always check your provider's Texas dental license before you agree to any treatment. It takes less than a minute and could save you from a lifetime of harm.
Once You Are There: Red Flags to Watch For

Trust your eyes. If something looks wrong, it probably is. Here are signs that the person working on your teeth may not be safe or licensed:

⚠ They work out of a house, apartment, or any place that is not a real dental office.
⚠ They do not clean their hands before putting on gloves or touching your mouth.
⚠ They use a needle or syringe that was not taken from a brand-new, sealed package.
⚠ Their tools look old, damaged, rusty, or dirty.
⚠ After the procedure, they do not tell you how to care for your mouth. They do not explain the signs of infection or what to do if something goes wrong.
⚠ Their dental license is not visibly posted where dental services are performed.
Any one of these is a reason to stop and leave.

A licensed dentist always works in a clean, professional office. They use sterile tools. They make sure you know how to care for your mouth after treatment.

How To Check Your Dentist's License

It is fast, free, and easy. The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) keeps a list of every licensed dentist in Texas. All you need is your dentist's name or license number.

When you look up a dentist, you should see:
● Their full name and office address
● Their license number and type
● Whether their license is active and current
● Their license expiration date
● Any actions the Board has taken against them
If a provider cannot or will not give you their license number, that is a serious warning sign. If the license is expired, suspended, or revoked, or you cannot find the dentist, do not let them treat you.
How To Find a Licensed Texas Dentist Near You

Texas has thousands of licensed dentists across the state. TDA member dentists are committed to safe, high-quality care for every patient.

Use the ADA Find-a-Dentist tool to search for a TDA member dentist in your area.

Think You Have Been a Victim? Here Is What to Do.

If someone worked on your teeth without a license, or if you think someone is pretending to be a dentist, act now. Reporting it could protect you and keep others from being hurt.

✚ STEP 1: GET CARE RIGHT AWAY
If you were harmed, see a licensed dentist or go to an emergency room immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to get worse. Go to an emergency room right away if you have a fever, swelling in your face or neck, or trouble breathing or swallowing.
▣ STEP 2: FILE A COMPLAINT WITH TSBDE
The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners looks into reports of illegal dental work and can stop unlicensed providers from seeing more patients. You can reach the Board at (737) 363-2320. The complaint form asks for your name and contact information so the Board can follow up with you. The process takes time, but every report builds the case against an illegal provider.
File a Complaint with TSBDE
☎ STEP 3: CALL YOUR LOCAL POLICE
Working on teeth without a license is against the law in Texas. Police can investigate and make arrests.
DO NOT WAIT.
Your report could shut down an illegal provider and protect your neighbors.

 

Download the flyer for a quick guide to checking a dentist’s license and spotting warning signs.

ENGLISH                              SPANISH

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the risks of seeing an unlicensed dental provider?
Licensed dentists must prove they know how to care for patients safely before they may treat anyone. Unlicensed providers have no such training and answer to no one. Patients who see unlicensed providers risk serious infection, permanent damage to their teeth and gums, and injuries that may require costly treatment to fix. Braces put on incorrectly can cause bone and tooth loss. Veneers applied without training can crack teeth, cause infections, or create a choking hazard. Dirty tools can spread serious infections including hepatitis and HIV.
How do I check whether a dentist is licensed in Texas?
The TSBDE keeps a free, public license search tool at tsbde.texas.gov. You can search by the dentist's name or license number and make sure their license is active and current.

If a provider cannot or will not give you their license number, that is a serious warning sign. The dentist's license should also be visibly posted in their office.
What should a license check show me?
When you look up a dentist on the TSBDE website, you should see their full name and license number. You should also see the type of license, whether it is active, and when it expires. The search also shows whether the Board has ever disciplined the dentist.

If the license is expired, suspended, or revoked, or you cannot find the dentist after checking the spelling, do not let them treat you.
How can I find a licensed dentist near me?
Texas has thousands of licensed dentists across the state. You can find a TDA member dentist in your area at findadentist.ada.org. TDA member dentists are committed to safe, high-quality care for every patient.
What kinds of services do unlicensed providers advertise?
Unlicensed providers often advertise on social media sites like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Common offers include braces, veneers, tooth gems, crowns, dentures, and implants. These ads can look professional and convincing. Always check the provider's license before responding to any dental advertisement.
What warning signs suggest a provider may not be licensed?
The biggest red flags: they will not share a license number, no dentist is named on their website or ads, the location is not a real dental office, and the prices are far below normal. A full list of warning signs appears earlier on this page. If something feels off, leave.
What is the difference between a licensed dentist and a board-certified dentist?
A license is the legal minimum required to work on your teeth in Texas. No license means no legal right to practice, no matter what training or credentials someone claims. Board certification means a dentist has taken extra training in a specific area of dentistry, like braces or gum care. It is optional, but it shows extra skill. Both matter, but a current Texas license is required. No exceptions.
Can a Texas dental license be taken away?
Yes. The TSBDE can suspend a dentist's license or take it away. This can happen when a dentist harms patients, breaks the law, misuses drugs or alcohol, or commits other serious violations. These actions are public record. You can find them through the TSBDE license search tool.
What should I do if I think someone is practicing dentistry without a license?
File a complaint with the TSBDE at tsbde.texas.gov. The Board can investigate and refer cases to law enforcement. You can also contact local police. Your report could protect others in your community from being harmed.
How often do Texas dentists renew their licenses?
Texas dentists renew their licenses every two years. They must also complete ongoing training to keep their skills up to date.
What happens after I file a complaint with the TSBDE?
The Board reviews your complaint to decide whether it can act on it. If it can, the Board investigates. The Board can take action against a provider and can send illegal practice cases to law enforcement. If you give your name and contact information, the Board will send you updates on your complaint.
What if I cannot afford to see a licensed dentist?
Cost should never push you toward an unlicensed provider. Community health centers, dental school clinics, and nonprofit dental programs across Texas offer free and low-cost services. Call 2-1-1 for help finding options near you.
Is a “veneer tech” a real dental license?
No. Texas does not license or recognize “veneer techs.” Only a licensed dentist may shave down teeth or place veneers. Anyone offering veneers without a dental license is breaking the law, and the damage from badly placed veneers can include cracked teeth, infection, and permanent tooth loss.
Are tooth gems safe to get from someone who is not a dentist?
No. The risk is serious. Putting on a glue-on charm may count as practicing dentistry. The bigger danger is often removal. If an untrained person is not careful with the glue, taking off a tooth gem can damage your tooth. If you want a tooth gem, ask a licensed dentist to apply and remove it safely.

 

 

About the Texas Dental Association

The Texas Dental Association represents licensed Texas dentists. Our members are dedicated to safe, honest, high-quality care for every patient. TDA works to protect Texans through advocacy, education, and public awareness.

Contact TDA

You can also reach us by phone: 512-443-3675