Can a hygienist own a dental practice in Louisiana?

• A. Yes
• B. Only with board approval
• C. Only if they partner with a dentist
• D. No

Answer: (D)

Louisiana restricts ownership of dental practices to licensed dentists. The state follows the corporate practice of dentistry doctrine, which means a dental office must be owned and controlled by a dentist (or by a professional corporation in which all shareholders are dentists). This ensures that professional judgment and supervision of dental procedures stay under the direction of a licensed dental professional. Because a dental hygienist is not a licensed dentist, they cannot own a dental practice in Louisiana. They may work in a practice owned by a dentist, or own a separate business unrelated to dentistry, but the dental office itself cannot be owned by a hygienist.