CA Licensees: Fraud Alert from the Dental Board of California

On December 5, 2025, the Dental Board of California (DBC) issued an important Fraud Alert to California dentists, dental assistants, and all dental licensees regarding an ongoing scam targeting professionals in the field. While this type of scam is not new, this serves as a reminder to stay vigilant against fraudulent communications that could compromise your personal information or finances.

What’s Happening?

The DBC has received reports that scammers are impersonating DBC staff through phone calls and letters. These communications may look official – including fake letterhead or caller IDs mimicking DBC phone numbers – but they are not legitimate. The DBC emphasizes that it will never contact licensees for immediate payments over the phone or ask for sensitive personal or financial information in an unsolicited call or letter.

Red Flags Used by Scammers

According to the alert, fraudulent messages may:

• Claim your dental license is under investigation or suspended.
• Demand immediate payment to resolve alleged issues.
• Request personal details or financial information.
• Use spoofed phone numbers or official-looking letterhead to appear authentic.

These tactics are designed to intimidate or confuse recipients into responding quickly, often without verifying the source. 

How to Protect Yourself

Here’s what you should do to protect yourself:

• Do not provide personal or financial information to unsolicited callers or correspondents.
• Hang up immediately if a call sounds suspicious or is pressuring you to act quickly.
• Verify any communication directly with the DBC via its official contact page (don’t rely on caller ID or claimed email address). 

Report Suspicious Activity

To help protect the profession and other licensees from falling victim to fraud, the DBC encourages reporting suspicious communications:

• Send a message to the DBC directly through their official site.
• If a caller claims to be from the DEA, file a report with the FBI’s Extortion Scam reporting form.
• If the phone number appears to match a DBC number, consider filing a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) via their Consumer Complaint form.

Final Thoughts

Scams targeting professionals aren’t new, but they continue to evolve, often becoming more convincing over time. The Dental Board of California’s alert is a helpful reminder that vigilance and verification are your best defenses. If something feels off, trust your instincts, and always confirm directly with official DBC channels before acting. Your license, personal information, and peace of mind are worth protecting.

OSHA Review, Inc. a registered continuing education provider in the State of California, specializing in Dental Practice Act, infection control, and Cal/OSHA training. OSHA Review subscribers in California receive updated regulatory compliance and infection control training thorough our bi-monthly newsletter.