Top 10 Best Dentists in Marin County, California (Updated 2026)

Who licenses dentists in California

The Dental Board of California licenses dentists (DDS), registered dental assistants (RDA) and registered dental assistants in extended functions (RDAEF). The Board lists these license categories and the permits it issues on its consumer pages. Under the Business and Professions Code, it is unlawful to practice dentistry in California without a valid, unexpired license or special permit from the Board.

Dental hygienists are handled by a different agency. The Dental Hygiene Board of California issues and enforces dental hygiene licenses, and the DCA License Search lists it as a separate board.

How to check a dentist's license

The Dental Board sends consumers to the DCA License Search, run by the California Department of Consumer Affairs. Each record shows whether a license is current or expired, and whether it has been subject to disciplinary action such as suspension or revocation.

1. Open the DCA License Search and choose Dental Board of California from the list of boards.
2. Enter the dentist's first and last name, or the license number.
3. Open the record and read the license status and any disciplinary action.
4. If the dentist offers sedation, check for the matching permit. Permits are listed as separate license types in the same search.

The Board's toll-free number is (877) 729-7789.

Sedation and surgery permits for dentists

A dentist license alone does not cover every procedure. State law ties deeper levels of sedation and some surgery to separate permits from the Dental Board.

A dentist who gives general anesthesia or deep sedation must be physically present in the treatment facility while the patient is under. The same rule applies to a moderate sedation permit holder while the patient is sedated.

Recognized dental specialties

The Dental Board issues one dentist license. Specialty recognition comes from a national body, the National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards, which lists 12 recognized dental specialties.

The 12 are dental anesthesiology, dental public health, endodontics, oral and maxillofacial pathology, oral and maxillofacial radiology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral medicine, orofacial pain, orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics and prosthodontics. The Commission defines pediatric dentistry as care for infants and children through adolescence, and periodontics as the treatment of diseases of the tissues that support and surround the teeth.

The health section of the directory also covers doctors and physical therapists in Marin County.

Medicare, Medi-Cal and dental care in Marin County

Nearly one in four Marin County residents is 65 or older, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey, table B01001. Medicare is health insurance for people 65 or older, and Medicare's dental coverage page says that in most cases it does not cover dental services like routine cleanings, fillings, tooth extractions or items like dentures and implants. The directory also lists senior care providers.

Medi-Cal includes dental services as one of its benefits. The state's Medi-Cal Dental site has a Find-A-Dentist provider directory for locating a Medi-Cal Dental provider near you.

Your dental records and how to file a complaint

California's patient records law covers dentists. Health and Safety Code section 123110 says a provider must let you inspect your records during business hours within five working days of a request, and must send copies within 15 days. The provider may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee for copies. The same section bars a provider from withholding records because of an unpaid bill.

Complaints go to the Dental Board. You can file online through DCA BreEZe Online Services, or complete the Board's Consumer Complaint Form and send it by email or regular mail. The Board says it is commonly able to act on complaints that allege gross negligence or incompetence, substance use during the practice of dentistry, improper advertising, fraud, unsanitary conditions, or false or fictitious name use.

Some problems fall outside the Board. Its complaint information page lists general office procedures, fee and billing disputes, insurance coverage disputes, reimbursements or financial compensation, and rude behavior as beyond its authority. For billing or fee disputes, the Board says to contact your insurance company or the dental office. For a problem with an HMO, it points to the Department of Managed Health Care at 1-800-400-0815.

Who licenses dentists in Marin County?

The Dental Board of California licenses dentists across the state, including in Marin County. It also licenses registered dental assistants and registered dental assistants in extended functions, and it issues anesthesia and sedation permits. Dental hygienists are licensed by a separate agency, the Dental Hygiene Board of California.

Does a dentist need a license in California?

Yes. The Business and Professions Code makes it unlawful to practice dentistry in California without a valid, unexpired license or special permit from the Dental Board. The law has a few narrow exemptions, such as dental students working in the clinics of approved dental schools and oral surgery by a licensed physician and surgeon.

How do I check a California dentist's license?

Use the DCA License Search run by the California Department of Consumer Affairs and pick the Dental Board of California. You can search by name or license number. Each record shows whether the license is current or expired and whether it has been subject to discipline such as suspension or revocation.

How do I file a complaint against a dentist in California?

File online through DCA BreEZe Online Services, or fill out the Dental Board's Consumer Complaint Form and send it by email or regular mail. The Board says fee and billing disputes, insurance coverage disputes, reimbursements and rude behavior are beyond its authority. Those go to the dental office or your insurer.

Does a dentist need a special permit to use sedation?

For some levels, yes. California law requires a general anesthesia permit for deep sedation or general anesthesia given to dental outpatients, and a moderate sedation permit or general anesthesia permit for moderate sedation. Treating younger children takes a pediatric endorsement. These permits appear as their own license types in the DCA License Search.

How long does a dentist have to give me my dental records?

Under Health and Safety Code section 123110, a provider must let you inspect your records within five working days of your request and must send copies within 15 days. The provider may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee for copies. Records cannot be withheld because of an unpaid bill.