When Things Go Wrong and Official Sources
How to check a dentist's registration with the State Dental Council
Verify a dentist in India on the State Dental Council or National Dental Commission register, and understand BDS, MDS and specialist titles.
To check a dentist in India, ask for their full name, registration number and the State Dental Council that issued it, then look them up on that council's register or through the register links on the National Dental Commission (NDC) website, which since March 2026 is the successor to the Dental Council of India and still uses the dciindia.gov.in address. Under the National Dental Commission Act, 2023, a dentist must be entered in a state or national register before practising. Check that the name matches, the registration is current, and the qualifications listed (such as BDS and any MDS speciality) match what the clinic advertises. A registered dentist should give you these details readily.
Part of dental treatment problems: official routes.
Where registration is recorded
| Register | Who keeps it | What you can usually check |
|---|---|---|
| State register of dentists | State Dental Council | Name, registration number, qualification, date of registration, status |
| National register(s) | NDC's Ethics and Dental Registration Board | National listing of registered dentists |
| Indian Dentists Register links | NDC website | Links to state council registers |
| National Dental Register | Linked from the NDC site to an ABDM platform | Digital registry information where available |
Each State Dental Council runs its own website, and the search features differ. Some show a searchable list; some require you to contact the council.
Step by step
- Ask the clinic for the dentist's registration number and state. It is often displayed in the clinic or printed on prescriptions.
- Open the NDC website and find the dentists register or the list of State Dental Councils.
- Go to the State Dental Council's register for that state.
- Search by name or number.
- Compare the name, qualifications and status with what the clinic says.
- If you cannot find the dentist, contact the State Dental Council by phone or email; registers are not always up to date online.
Understanding the qualifications
| Title | What it means |
|---|---|
| BDS | Bachelor of Dental Surgery, the basic dental degree required for registration |
| MDS | Master of Dental Surgery, a postgraduate degree in a speciality |
| MDS (Prosthodontics) | Speciality in replacing teeth, including crowns, bridges, dentures and implant prostheses |
| MDS (Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery) | Speciality in surgery of the mouth, jaws and face |
| MDS (Periodontology) | Speciality in gums and supporting structures, often involved in implants |
| MDS (Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics) | Speciality in fillings and root canal treatment |
| Fellowships and certificate courses | Additional training; not the same as an MDS degree |
Implants are placed by general dentists with additional training as well as by specialists. A certificate course in implantology is additional training, not a registered speciality degree. Ask the dentist about their training and experience with your type of treatment.
Warning signs
- The person treating you will not give a registration number.
- The name on the register does not match the person treating you.
- A clinic advertises "specialist" status that the register does not show.
- Treatment is offered at a temporary camp with no clear clinic address.
- Prescriptions or bills carry no dentist name.
If you suspect someone is practising without registration, you can report it to the State Dental Council. Impersonating a registered professional may also be a criminal matter.
Checking the clinic, not just the dentist
A dentist can be registered while the clinic itself has its own obligations, such as registration under the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010 in states that have adopted it, or under a state's own law, plus local licences. See implant device and clinic registration checks.
What registration lets you do later
If a problem arises, knowing the dentist's council and number lets you:
- file a misconduct complaint with the correct State Dental Council;
- name the right party in a consumer complaint;
- show an insurer the treating dentist's details.
See the National Dental Commission and what changed and consumer complaints via e-Jagriti.
Frequently asked questions
Is registration with the Dental Council of India still valid?
The Dental Council of India was dissolved when the National Dental Commission took over on 19 March 2026. Existing registrations are carried into the new framework: dentists on the Indian Dentists Register are deemed registered under the NDC Act and enrolled in the National Register (section 31), and the old State Dental Councils continue until new ones are set up (section 59). Check the NDC site for notices on how existing registrations are shown.
Can a dentist registered in one state practise in another?
Under the NDC framework, a dentist entered in a state or national register can practise as the Act allows; some states also expect registration with their own council. If in doubt, ask the State Dental Council where the dentist practises.
Does a dental hygienist or technician need registration?
The NDC Act provides for registers of dental auxiliaries. Check the NDC site for how this is being implemented.
Can I see complaints against a dentist?
Registers usually show registration status, not complaint histories. Disciplinary outcomes may be published by councils in some cases.
Sources
- National Dental Commission — dentist registers and State Dental Council list
- National Dental Register (ABDM) — digital register linked from the NDC site
- Clinical Establishments registry — clinic registration under the central Act
