The Academy stands ready to assist all dentists, hygienists, regulatory boards or agencies by educating their members in the effective and safe use of dental lasers. We are available to assist you on an informational basis in developing a policy for laser use if any state board has that need or desire. We are available to answer questions you may have and provide you with additional information.
* Note: This information is provided as a courtesy from the Academy of Laser Dentistry Regulatory Affairs Committee. ALD continues to do our best to follow state and federal regulations and to continually update information. It is always the clinicians’ license and responsibility to determine if they are permitted to use lasers within the scope of practice act of their state policies. The Academy of Laser Dentistry recommendation is to always refer to the public information of each state’s regulations. State regulations may change. The Academy of Laser Dentistry is not responsible for the accuracy of the data contained on this page.
Academy of Laser Dentistry Recommendation
The Academy of Laser Dentistry would like to help ensure both the preservation of public safety and the freedom of clinical judgment by practitioners. We believe scope of practice parameters should be defined within the law, rules and guidelines set forth in each state's dental practice act. We therefore make the following recommendations regarding safe and effective laser usage:
The ALD supports the use of lasers in dentistry when used by a properly trained and licensed dental professional where the procedure is safe, effective, and consistent with his/her education and experience, and within the scope of his/her licensure. If such procedures are permitted under the existing dental practice act, the provider of dental services (dentist, hygienist or dental assistant) should be able to choose any device suitable to perform that procedure, laser or otherwise - if that device is safe and effective, and if the use of that device is consistent with the provider's education, training and experience. Lastly, the ALD recommends that practitioners wishing to use a laser complete, at minimum, an ALD Dental Laser Standard Certification. In brief this includes a minimum of 12 hours of specific educational activity which should include hands on training on the specific device the practitioner intends to use and a measured outcome learning verification exercise.
In July 2017, the American Association of Dental Boards conducted a teleseminar podcast for state regulators to provide information on dental laser use. Here is a white paper from that podcast. July 2017 AADB Q&A Transcript on Laser Use for Regulators
The full position statement is available on the ALD website:
Contact the ALD with any concerns and questions by email. We will gladly collaborate with any State Board and offer assistance and education as policy-makers determine policy for the safety of their constituents.
 Keith Brewster, DDS (Dallas, TX)
ALD Regulatory Affairs Chair
drkbrewster@sbcglobal.net |
 Angie Wallace, RDH (Tulsa, OK)
ALD Regulatory Affairs Chair
angie@laserrdh.com |
 Gail Siminovsky, CAE
ALD Executive Director
siminovsky@laserdentistry.org |
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