CHICAGO, May 14, 2024 – The American Dental Association (ADA) is aware of recent reports of “veneer technicians” offering services to the public. The ADA urges the public to be cautious of these services that eliminate the role of the dentist in diagnosing the patient’s oral health needs, developing a treatment plan to best meet those needs, and safely managing treatment throughout the course of care.
Unsupervised dental treatment from unlicensed individuals has the potential to cause damaging complications for patients, and any dental procedure that may alter the physical structure of an individual’s teeth, gums or jaws, without the supervision of a dentist, has the potential to cause irreversible harm.
Risks that may be associated with services from unlicensed individuals include potential infection from adhesives and curing devices that are not properly sterilized or from placing veneers over unhealthy teeth or untreated cavities; nerve damage from improperly trimming or filing the teeth; and potential choking hazard during placement.
Dentistry is a regulated healthcare profession that requires formal education and licensure. Every state has regulations that require dentists and hygienists to be licensed in order to provide patient care. The level of oversight for dental assistants varies by state and, while dental assistants may or may not be licensed or registered by the state, they are required to perform their duties under the supervision of a licensed dentist. State dental practice acts define the scope of practice for dentists, hygienists, and licensed or registered dental assistants. However, dental laboratory technicians and businesses are generally not licensed.
The ADA is committed to quality care and encourages the public to seek care from licensed dentists to ensure proper diagnosis, treatment, and patient safety for all of their oral health care needs.
For more information about oral health, visit MouthHealthy.org, the ADA’s public education website.