{"id":39742,"date":"2026-07-20T12:41:02","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T12:41:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/?page_id=39742"},"modified":"2026-07-20T19:29:33","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T19:29:33","slug":"who-can-file-a-complaint-with-the-north-carolina-state-board-of-dental-examiners-and-what-follows","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/who-can-file-a-complaint-with-the-north-carolina-state-board-of-dental-examiners-and-what-follows\/","title":{"rendered":"Who can file a complaint with the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners \u2014 and what follows"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"39742\" class=\"elementor elementor-39742\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-22165ed e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"22165ed\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-59e334f elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"59e334f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n<!-- Healthcare Ethics Courses \u2014 US Knowledge & Support \u2014 North Carolina Dentists\r\n     Article: Who can file a complaint with the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners \u2014 and what follows\r\n     Paste into an Elementor Custom HTML block. 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20px;}\r\n  }\r\n  <\/style>\r\n\r\n  <nav class=\"crumbs\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumb\">\r\n    <ol>\r\n      <li><a href=\"\/us\/\">Home<\/a><\/li>\r\n      <li class=\"sep\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&rsaquo;<\/li>\r\n      <li><a href=\"\/us\/knowledge-support\/\">Knowledge &amp; Support<\/a><\/li>\r\n      <li class=\"sep\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&rsaquo;<\/li>\r\n      <li><a href=\"\/us\/knowledge-support\/\">North Carolina Dentists<\/a><\/li>\r\n      <li class=\"sep\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&rsaquo;<\/li>\r\n      <li aria-current=\"page\">Who can file a complaint<\/li>\r\n    <\/ol>\r\n  <\/nav>\r\n\r\n  <header class=\"head wrap\">\r\n    <h1>Who can file a complaint with the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners \u2014 and what follows<\/h1>\r\n    <div class=\"meta\"><span>6 min read<\/span><span class=\"dot\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&bull;<\/span><span>Last updated July 2026<\/span><\/div>\r\n    <p class=\"lead\">A complaint to the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners can come from almost anyone &mdash; and a single one can start a case. This guide explains who can file, what the Board screens for, and what the opening stage means for your license.<\/p>\r\n  <\/header>\r\n\r\n  <div class=\"takeaways wrap\">\r\n    <h2>Key takeaways<\/h2>\r\n    <ul>\r\n      <li>Anyone can file a complaint with the NC State Board of Dental Examiners &amp;mdash; patients, former employees, insurers, or other practitioners &amp;mdash; and one complaint is enough to trigger a case.<\/li>\r\n      <li>The Board first reviews a complaint for jurisdiction and whether it alleges a possible violation of the Dental Practice Act.<\/li>\r\n      <li>Grounds for discipline are set out in N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 90-41, from negligence and malpractice to fraud and impairment.<\/li>\r\n      <li>Investigative records are confidential and not public until they are admitted into evidence at a hearing (\u00a7 90-41(g)).<\/li>\r\n      <li>The Board&amp;rsquo;s mission is public protection, so a measured, well-documented response from the first letter matters.<\/li>\r\n    <\/ul>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <div class=\"body wrap\">\r\n    <h2>Who can file a complaint against a North Carolina dentist?<\/h2>\r\n    <p>There is no restricted class of complainant. Patients, former employees, insurers, and other practitioners can all bring a concern to the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners (NCSBDE), and the Board can also act on its own motion where it appears a licensee has violated the Dental Practice Act. The Board is an independent body &mdash; six dentists, one dental hygienist, and one consumer member &mdash; that regulates dentistry under Article 2 of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes and Title 21, Chapter 16 of the Administrative Code. Its stated mission is to protect the public, not to represent licensees.<\/p>\r\n    <h2>Does it take more than one complaint?<\/h2>\r\n    <p>No. A single complaint is enough to open an investigation. The Board does not require a pattern before it acts &mdash; it is the seriousness of the allegation, not the number of complaints, that determines whether a matter moves forward. A concern about patient safety, professional misconduct, or a potential regulatory violation can trigger a full review on its own.<\/p>\r\n    <h2>What the Board screens for<\/h2>\r\n    <p>When a complaint arrives, the Board first reviews it to decide whether it falls within the Board&rsquo;s jurisdiction and whether it involves a possible violation of professional standards. If it clears that screen, the Board typically requests a written response from the dentist along with patient records and supporting documentation, and in more serious cases opens a formal investigation.<\/p>\r\n    <h2>The grounds for discipline (\u00a7 90-41)<\/h2>\r\n    <p>The conduct the Board can act on is set out in N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 90-41(a). It is a long list, but the grounds most often at issue for dentists include negligence in the practice of dentistry, malpractice, obtaining or collecting a fee through fraud or misrepresentation, impairment from intoxicants or drugs, criminal convictions, employing unlicensed persons to perform dental acts, and conduct that discredits the profession. Notably, the Act also makes it a violation to limit a patient&rsquo;s ability to raise grievances or file complaints with the Board.<\/p>\r\n    <h2>Are complaints confidential?<\/h2>\r\n    <p>Largely, yes, during the investigation. Under \u00a7 90-41(g), records, papers, and documents the Board collects in a licensing or disciplinary investigation are <strong>not<\/strong> public records under Chapter 132 of the General Statutes. That confidentiality has a limit: if such a record is later admitted into evidence at a Board hearing, it becomes a public record at that point. Note too that practicing while a license is suspended can lead to permanent revocation under \u00a7 90-41(b).<\/p>\r\n    <h2>What the first letter means \u2014 and what follows<\/h2>\r\n    <p>If you receive a letter from the Board, read it carefully for the allegations and any response deadline, and do not ignore it. Preserve all relevant patient records, communications, and billing information, and resist the urge to fire back an immediate explanation &mdash; anything you submit may be used in the investigation, so many dentists consult counsel before replying. From there the Board investigates and decides whether to dismiss, resolve the matter informally, or pursue formal discipline.<\/p>\r\n    <p>For the mechanics that follow, see <a href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/knowledge-support\/dentists\/north-carolina\/investigation\/\">the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners investigation process, step by step<\/a>. For outcomes, see <a href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/knowledge-support\/dentists\/north-carolina\/discipline\/\">protecting your license before the Board<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <section class=\"courses wrap\">\r\n    <h2>Related courses<\/h2>\r\n    <p class=\"intro\">If you are responding to a complaint, these courses help you build the documented insight and record-keeping the Board looks for:<\/p>\r\n    <div class=\"clist\">\r\n      <a class=\"ccard\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/courses\/dealing-with-a-complaint-or-investigation-professionally\/\"><span class=\"cn\">Dealing with a Complaint or Investigation Professionally<\/span><svg class=\"arw\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2.2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><line x1=\"5\" y1=\"12\" x2=\"19\" y2=\"12\"\/><polyline points=\"12 5 19 12 12 19\"\/><\/svg><\/a>\r\n      <a class=\"ccard\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/courses\/professionalism-and-professional-standards-for-dentists-and-dental-professionals\/\"><span class=\"cn\">Professionalism and Professional Standards for Dentists<\/span><svg class=\"arw\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2.2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><line x1=\"5\" y1=\"12\" x2=\"19\" y2=\"12\"\/><polyline points=\"12 5 19 12 12 19\"\/><\/svg><\/a>\r\n      <a class=\"ccard\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/courses\/documentation-for-healthcare-professionals\/\"><span class=\"cn\">Documentation for Healthcare Professionals<\/span><svg class=\"arw\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2.2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><line x1=\"5\" y1=\"12\" x2=\"19\" y2=\"12\"\/><polyline points=\"12 5 19 12 12 19\"\/><\/svg><\/a>\r\n      <a class=\"ccard\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/courses\/insight-for-fitness-to-practice\/\"><span class=\"cn\">Insight for Fitness to Practise<\/span><svg class=\"arw\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2.2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><line x1=\"5\" y1=\"12\" x2=\"19\" y2=\"12\"\/><polyline points=\"12 5 19 12 12 19\"\/><\/svg><\/a>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <p class=\"caveat\">These are structured ethics and professional-development courses that issue a certificate of completion &mdash; they are not accredited continuing education (CE), and completion does not resolve a Board matter. Their value is as documented evidence of insight, reflection, and remediation, which the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners weighs in mitigation when deciding an outcome.<\/p>\r\n  <\/section>\r\n\r\n  <section class=\"siblings wrap\">\r\n    <h2>More on the North Carolina Board of Dental Examiners<\/h2>\r\n    <div class=\"slist\">\r\n      <a class=\"scard\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/the-north-carolina-state-board-of-dental-examiners-investigation-process-step-by-step\/\">The North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners investigation process, step by step<\/a>\r\n      <a class=\"scard\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/protecting-your-license-before-the-north-carolina-state-board-of-dental-examiners\/\">Protecting your license before the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners<\/a>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n  <\/section>\r\n\r\n  <section class=\"faq wrap\">\r\n    <h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\r\n    <div class=\"fitem\">\r\n      <button class=\"fq\" onclick=\"hecTF(this)\"><span>Who can file a complaint against a North Carolina dentist?<\/span><svg class=\"ic\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"><line x1=\"12\" y1=\"5\" x2=\"12\" y2=\"19\"\/><line x1=\"5\" y1=\"12\" x2=\"19\" y2=\"12\"\/><\/svg><\/button>\r\n      <div class=\"fa\"><div class=\"fa-in\">Patients, former employees, insurers, and other practitioners can all file a complaint with the NC State Board of Dental Examiners, and the Board can also initiate a matter on its own motion where a violation appears to have occurred.<\/div><\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"fitem\">\r\n      <button class=\"fq\" onclick=\"hecTF(this)\"><span>Can a single complaint trigger an investigation?<\/span><svg class=\"ic\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"><line x1=\"12\" y1=\"5\" x2=\"12\" y2=\"19\"\/><line x1=\"5\" y1=\"12\" x2=\"19\" y2=\"12\"\/><\/svg><\/button>\r\n      <div class=\"fa\"><div class=\"fa-in\">Yes. The Board does not require multiple complaints. It is the seriousness of the allegation &mdash; a concern about patient safety, misconduct, or a regulatory violation &mdash; rather than the number of complaints that determines whether an investigation begins.<\/div><\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"fitem\">\r\n      <button class=\"fq\" onclick=\"hecTF(this)\"><span>What does the Board screen for first?<\/span><svg class=\"ic\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"><line x1=\"12\" y1=\"5\" x2=\"12\" y2=\"19\"\/><line x1=\"5\" y1=\"12\" x2=\"19\" y2=\"12\"\/><\/svg><\/button>\r\n      <div class=\"fa\"><div class=\"fa-in\">The Board reviews whether the complaint falls within its jurisdiction and whether it involves a possible violation of professional standards. If it clears that screen, the Board typically requests a written response and records.<\/div><\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"fitem\">\r\n      <button class=\"fq\" onclick=\"hecTF(this)\"><span>What are the grounds for discipline?<\/span><svg class=\"ic\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"><line x1=\"12\" y1=\"5\" x2=\"12\" y2=\"19\"\/><line x1=\"5\" y1=\"12\" x2=\"19\" y2=\"12\"\/><\/svg><\/button>\r\n      <div class=\"fa\"><div class=\"fa-in\">They are listed in N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 90-41 and include negligence, malpractice, fraud or misrepresentation in fees, impairment, criminal convictions, employing unlicensed persons, and conduct that discredits the profession, among others.<\/div><\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"fitem\">\r\n      <button class=\"fq\" onclick=\"hecTF(this)\"><span>Are complaints and investigations public?<\/span><svg class=\"ic\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"><line x1=\"12\" y1=\"5\" x2=\"12\" y2=\"19\"\/><line x1=\"5\" y1=\"12\" x2=\"19\" y2=\"12\"\/><\/svg><\/button>\r\n      <div class=\"fa\"><div class=\"fa-in\">Under \u00a7 90-41(g), investigative records are not public records while the matter is being investigated. If a record is admitted into evidence at a Board hearing, it becomes a public record at that point.<\/div><\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"fitem\">\r\n      <button class=\"fq\" onclick=\"hecTF(this)\"><span>Should I respond to the first letter myself?<\/span><svg class=\"ic\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"><line x1=\"12\" y1=\"5\" x2=\"12\" y2=\"19\"\/><line x1=\"5\" y1=\"12\" x2=\"19\" y2=\"12\"\/><\/svg><\/button>\r\n      <div class=\"fa\"><div class=\"fa-in\">You can, but anything you submit may be used in the investigation. Note the deadline, preserve all relevant records, and consider consulting a professional-license defense attorney before replying.<\/div><\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n  <\/section>\r\n\r\n  <script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"Article\", \"headline\": \"Who can file a complaint with the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners \u2014 and what follows\", \"description\": \"Who can file a complaint with the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners, what the Board screens for, the grounds under \u00a7 90-41, and what follows.\", \"author\": {\"@type\": \"Person\", \"name\": \"Dr Shehzad Iqbal\", \"jobTitle\": \"Clinician; MRCS, MRCGP, PG Cert Healthcare Law & Ethics (University of Dundee)\"}, \"publisher\": {\"@type\": \"Organization\", \"name\": \"Healthcare Ethics Courses\", \"url\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/\"}, \"dateModified\": \"2026-07-01\", \"mainEntityOfPage\": {\"@type\": \"WebPage\", \"@id\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/knowledge-support\/dentists\/north-carolina\/complaints\/\"}, \"about\": \"North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners\", \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\"}<\/script>\r\n  <script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"BreadcrumbList\", \"itemListElement\": [{\"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 1, \"name\": \"Home\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/\"}, {\"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 2, \"name\": \"Knowledge & Support\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/knowledge-support\/\"}, {\"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 3, \"name\": \"North Carolina Dentists\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/knowledge-support\/dentists\/north-carolina\/\"}, {\"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 4, \"name\": \"Who can file a complaint with the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners \u2014 and what follows\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/knowledge-support\/dentists\/north-carolina\/complaints\/\"}]}<\/script>\r\n  <script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"FAQPage\", \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Who can file a complaint against a North Carolina dentist?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Patients, former employees, insurers, and other practitioners can all file a complaint with the NC State Board of Dental Examiners, and the Board can also initiate a matter on its own motion where a violation appears to have occurred.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Can a single complaint trigger an investigation?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes. 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