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HomeBusiness and Professions CodeDiv. 2Ch. 4Art. 2§ 1625 Dentistry Practice Definition

§ 1625 Dentistry Practice Definition

Business and Professions Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 1625 Dentistry Practice Definition

Key Takeaways

  • •Dentistry means fixing teeth, gums, or jaws, including using medicine or surgery.
  • •You can't call yourself a dentist or advertise as one unless you're really a dentist.
  • •You can't do dental work like filling cavities, making dentures, or fixing braces if you're not a dentist.
  • •You can't run a place where dental work is done if you're not a dentist.

Example

Someone puts up a sign saying they are a dentist and offers to fix teeth for cheap.

This is breaking the law because they are pretending to be a dentist and offering to do dental work without being a real dentist.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 1625 Dentistry Practice Definition

Dentistry is the diagnosis or treatment, by surgery or other method, of diseases and lesions and the correction of malpositions of the human teeth, alveolar process, gums, jaws, or associated structures; and such diagnosis or treatment may include all necessary related procedures as well as the use of drugs, anesthetic agents, and physical evaluation. Without limiting the foregoing, a person practices dentistry within the meaning of this chapter who does any one or more of the following: (a) By card, circular, pamphlet, newspaper, internet website, social media, or in any other way advertises themselves or represents themselves to be a dentist. (b) Performs, or offers to perform, an operation or diagnosis of any kind, or treats diseases or lesions of the human teeth, alveolar process, gums, jaws, or associated structures, or corrects malposed positions thereof. (c) In any way indicates that the person will perform by themselves or their agents or servants any operation upon the human teeth, alveolar process, gums, jaws, or associated structures, or in any way indicates that the person will construct, alter, repair, or sell any bridge, crown, denture, or other prosthetic appliance or orthodontic appliance. (d) Makes, or offers to make, an examination of, with the intent to perform or cause to be performed any operation on the human teeth, alveolar process, gums, jaws, or associated structures. (e) Manages or conducts as manager, proprietor, conductor, lessor, or otherwise, a place where dental operations are performed. (Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 865, Sec. 19. (AB 1519) Effective January 1, 2020.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

dentistrydiagnosistreatmentdiseaseslesionsmalpositionshuman teethalveolar processgumsjawsassociated structuresdrugsanesthetic agentsphysical evaluation

Related Statutes

  • § 1630 Dentistry License Examination Requirements
  • § 1684.5 Patient Of Record Requirement
  • § 4023 Medical Device Definition
  • § 4025 Drug Definition Standards
  • § 4028 Hospital Licensing Definition

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Business and Professions Code. Section 1625.
View Official Source