SIGNIFICANT UPDATE: August 13, 2025

In accordance with the amendment to Miss. Code Section 73-9-5, effective July 1,2025, Dental Hygienists' who meet the eligibility requirements may register with the Board to practice under general supervision. 

BOTH STEPS TO THIS PROCESS ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN THE BOARD'S ONLINE LICENSING SYSTEM

STEP 1: The Dental Hygienist Registration of eligibility application may be found by:

• logging into your online portal account:  PORTAL ACCESS
• Click applications and select HYGIENIST GENERAL SUPERVISION REGISTRATION

The notarized application and supporting eligibility documentations are not required any longer if the verification is submitted through the licensing portal via an email directly to the current and/or previous dentist employer. You will be prompted to search for your supervising/employer dentist(s). They will be sent an email to verify the dates of your employment. Once they respond and the other required documentation has been uploaded (CPR card and CE verifications), your application will be processed and you will be notified when registered as eligible to practice under general supervision. If you are unable to get an email for a former employer, you will still need to submit paper affidavits that are notarized to verify the required five (5) years of active practice in Mississippi and 6,000 hours.  The one-time registration fee of $25.00 can now be paid online with your application.

STEP 2: Once eligibility has been determined and approved, a Mississippi licensed dentist will be required to authorize up to three (3) registered hygienists in order for the hygienist to begin practicing under general supervision.  The authorization application along with a one-time payment of $25.00 registration fee for each dental hygienist being authorized can be accessed in the Board's online licensing portal. 

For Dentists to authorize:  (NOTE: THIS IS TO BE USED BY THE AUTHORIZING DENTIST ONLY.  HYGIENISTS WHO CLICK ON THE ICON BELOW ON HIS OR HER DASHBOARD CAN ONLY REMOVE THEMSELVES FROM PRACTICING UNDER GENERAL SUPERVISION)

• Log in to your account in the Board's portal (Create an account if you have not done so)
• You will see a box at the bottom left of your portal dashboard that says General Supervision (see example below)
• Click the pencil and pad icon (see circled icon below)
• Add the names of the hygienists that you wish you authorize (NOTE: If the hygienist has not completed STEP 1 above (registered his or her eligibility), you will not be able to add them here)
• Pay the one-time $25.00 fee per authorized hygienist when prompted

Both the registered dental hygienists and authorizing dentists will receive an email when registered as eligible and when authorization has been processed confirming the date authorized to begin practicing under general supervision.

For questions, please contact the Board's office at 601-944-9622.  

RESOURCES:

Letter from MSBDE Executive Director - June 26, 2025

Miss. Code Section 73-9-5 - Dental Hygiene - Effective July 1, 2025

MSBDE Regulation 13 - Effective July 1, 2025

Application to Register Eligibility for Dental Hygienists

Application to Authorize General Supervision

Current List of Registered Dental Hygienists_08.15.2025

FAQs:

How long does it take for applications to be reviewed and processed?

Once all required items are received for any application submitted to the Dental Board, then expect 7-10 working days in order to process and approve the application.

Will my continuing education certificate be accepted if my name is not on the certificate?

No. If no name is printed on the certificate, you must sign the document to attest to you attendance.

Do the medical emergencies continuing education hours have to be completed prior to submitting the Application to Register Eligibility for Dental Hygienists?

While the application and payment can be submitted to the Board without the hours having been completed, the application will not be processed until the continuing education hours have been taken and have been submitted to the Board.  It is recommended that the hours are taken prior to submission of the application.

Does my active CPR-BLS Certification meet the requirement for the medical emergencies continuing education hours?

No.  CPR does not meet the requirement for three (3) hours of continuing education related to medical emergencies in a dental office.

Is there an Affidavit form for verification employment and work history?

No.  A letter from each dental employer on letterhead, signed and notarized will meet this requirement unless the process is completed through the Board's online licensing system. 

What if a former dental practice/dentist is no longer open?  How do I get an employment verification?

You may submit other documents which verify your employment with a dental practice such as W-2 forms. 

I have been practicing dental hygiene for 15 years and have worked for several dentists.  Do I have to get an employment verification from every dentist?

The new law only requires verification of five (5) years of active practice of dental hygiene in Mississippi and six thousand (6,000) hours.  You are only required to verify five (5) years and six thousand (6,000) hours of active practice of dental hygiene in Mississippi.

Can my supervising dentist submit the Application to Authorize General Supervision online while I am waiting on my employment verifications or continuing education course to be complete?

No. 

All changes or additions to the process for registering hygienists to practice under the general supervision of a Mississippi licensed dentist will be noted on this page.