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Is Your Dentist Registered? How to Check in India

Under the Dentists Act, 1948, only a registered dentist may practise dentistry in India, with a few exceptions such as registered medical doctors. Each state keeps a register of dentists, and together they make up the Indian Dentists Register. Ask for the registration number and check it with your State Dental Council.

Who may practise

Section 49 of the Dentists Act says no one other than a registered dentist may practise dentistry. The exceptions include registered medical practitioners, and urgent tooth extractions without anaesthetic where no registered dentist is available. [1]

Where dentists are registered

Each State Government keeps a register of dentists for its state, run by the State Dental Council, and the entries in all the state registers make up the Indian Dentists Register. [1]

Penalties

Practising without registration, or falsely claiming to be registered, is punishable by a fine on a first conviction and by up to 6 months in prison, a fine, or both on a later one. [1]

What to ask before treatment

  • What is your registration number, and which State Dental Council are you registered with?
  • Do you have a specialist degree, such as an MDS, for this treatment?
  • What will the full treatment cost, including X-rays, crowns and follow-up visits?
  • What happens if the treatment fails?

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Questions

Does a dentist need to be registered in India?

Yes. Under the Dentists Act, 1948, only a registered dentist may practise dentistry, with a few exceptions.

How do I check if a dentist is registered?

Ask for their registration number and check it with the State Dental Council they name.

What is the penalty for practising dentistry without registration?

A fine on a first conviction, and up to 6 months in prison, a fine, or both on a later conviction.

Sources

  1. The Dentists Act, 1948, India Code

This guide is general information, not medical advice. It summarizes the sources above, which were last checked on October 23, 2026. Talk to a licensed provider about your own situation.

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