Dentists in Austin

The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) licenses dentists, dental hygienists, registered dental assistants and dental labs. Before an Austin appointment, type the dentist's name into the board's Public License Search to see license status and any public board actions. In the office itself, look for the TSBDE consumer information sign, which state rules require in plain view of patients.

Specialists and general dentists in Austin

Texas recognizes 12 dental specialties, from endodontics and orthodontics to pediatric dentistry, periodontics and oral surgery. The specialist label is restricted: it needs either two or more years in an accredited specialty program or board certification, and the practice owner must not let general dentists pass as specialists. License certificates don't show specialty recognition, so if a specialist title matters for your treatment, ask where the dentist trained and whether TSBDE's record reflects it.

Who does what in an Austin dental office

Hygienists clean and polish teeth, smooth root surfaces, apply fluoride, take X-rays and can give local anesthetic under a dentist's authorization. They may not diagnose, prescribe or cut tissue. A dentist can delegate your cleaning to a hygienist if the dentist examined you within the previous 12 months, without being on the premises. Hygienists may also work under a supervising dentist in alternate settings such as nursing homes, patients' homes, schools and public health clinics.

Delta Dental publishes national averages for patients without dental benefits. Austin prices can differ, so treat these as a starting range:

Ask for a written treatment plan with the procedure codes and fees before work starts. TSBDE doesn't handle fee disputes and can order restitution only in limited cases where care fell below the standard, so billing questions are best settled up front. The Texas dentists guide covers insurance and fees in more depth.

• Medicaid and CHIP. Most Texans 20 and younger on Medicaid or CHIP get dental care through a managed care dental plan: DentaQuest, MCNA Dental or UnitedHealthcare Dental. Texas Health Steps helps families find a dentist at 1-877-847-8377, Monday through Friday.
• Community clinics. DSHS points people seeking low-cost care to 2-1-1 (211Texas.org) and to federally qualified health centers, some of which offer dental services.
• Dental school clinics. The four Texas schools with public clinics are in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and El Paso. UT Health San Antonio's student clinic charges about 60% less than private practice for adults, after a $50 screening, but appointments take two to three times longer.

Complaints about a Texas dentist go to TSBDE on its complaint form by email, fax or mail, and anonymous complaints are not accepted. This page explains how the system works and is not dental advice; confirm treatment choices with a licensed dentist. The Austin hub lists other local services, and dentists in Pflugerville are listed for comparison.