How does federal law regulate dentistry?

• A. Gives states authority to regulate dentistry
• B. Sets nationwide standards for every state
• C. Prohibits all private practice
• D. Requires federal licensure for dentists

Answer: (A)

In the United States, the regulation and licensure of dentistry are primarily a state responsibility. Federal law does not issue a nationwide dental license or set uniform licensure standards across all states. Instead, each state passes its own dental practice act and delegates authority to a state dental board to license dentists and regulate the profession within that state. The federal level influences dentistry in other ways—through programs like Medicare/Medicaid compliance, patient privacy rules (HIPAA), workplace safety (OSHA), and regulation of dental products by the FDA—but it does not authorize one federal license or universal standards for all states. So the statement that federal law gives states authority to regulate dentistry captures how regulation is actually organized: states regulate dentistry, not the federal government.