If you have been following the news out of Middlesex County lately, you may have seen the story out of South River.
A woman was arrested in February after allegedly performing dental work, including starting a root canal, without a license. According to reports, the patient found her through a group chat, agreed to pay for the procedure, and later showed up at a police station with gauze in his mouth and an unfinished root canal. He had paid money down and did not get it back.
It is an extreme story. But the question it raises is one every patient in New Jersey should know how to answer.
How do you actually know your dentist is licensed?
Most people assume they do. Most people have never checked. Here is how to verify, in about two minutes.
Step 1: Go to the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs license lookup
The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs maintains a public database of licensed healthcare providers in the state. It is free to use and requires no account.
Go here: https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/Pages/Licensee-Search.aspx
You can search by name, business name, or license number. Type in your dentist’s name, select “Dentistry” from the profession dropdown, and run the search.
A licensed dentist will typically show up with their full name, license number, license status (Active, Inactive, Suspended, and so on), license expiration date, and any disciplinary actions on record.
If the search returns nothing, or shows a license that is expired, inactive, or suspended, that is a problem worth investigating before your next appointment.
Step 2: Know what credentials to look for
A licensed general dentist in New Jersey holds a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) or Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from an accredited dental school, and must pass national and state licensing requirements before practicing.
Specialists such as periodontists, endodontists, and oral surgeons carry additional credentials specific to their specialty.
At a legitimate practice, you should be able to find this information without having to dig for it. It is commonly displayed in the office, listed on the practice website, and verifiable through the state database. If a provider is vague about their credentials, or you cannot find them in the state system, that is a red flag.
Step 3: Red flags when booking a dentist online
The South River case is a reminder that dental services are increasingly advertised through informal channels such as Facebook groups, Instagram, and group chats. Not every provider you find through social media is legitimate.
Here are questions worth asking before you book with anyone.
Can you find them in the NJ Consumer Affairs database?
This is the first check. If they are not there, do not book.
Do they have a physical office address, not just a phone number or direct message?
Legitimate practices have a fixed location. A home address or “I will send you the location” is not that.
Is pricing and treatment discussed in writing?
In the South River case, the arrangement was reportedly made informally with no written treatment plan and no recourse when it went wrong. A real dental practice provides written estimates and informed consent before any procedure begins.
Are there reviews you can verify?
Reviews tied to a verified business profile, a physical address, and real patient accounts are meaningfully different from a social media profile with no fixed location. They are not foolproof, but they are a useful signal.
Are they willing to answer your questions before you book?
Any legitimate dental practice welcomes questions about its credentials, its approach, and what your first visit will include. Evasion is a red flag.
What transparency looks like at a real dental practice
At SiRa Dentistry in Spotswood, Dr. Peter Mikhail is licensed and credentialed with the State of New Jersey, and you can verify it yourself using the link above.
Beyond the legal baseline, here is what our new patients can expect before any work begins:
- A complete explanation of your recommended treatment plan, in writing, before treatment begins
- A clear, upfront review of expected costs before fee-based treatment begins
- A structured new patient experience that includes a thorough exam, diagnostic imaging, and a personalized health assessment
- The ability to ask questions at every step
We believe an informed patient is a protected patient. If you have ever wondered about a provider’s credentials, or if you have never checked and want to start, we would be glad to walk you through our own licensing and answer any questions you have.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if my dentist is licensed in New Jersey?
Use the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs license lookup at njconsumeraffairs.gov. Search by name, business name, or license number, select “Dentistry,” and review the license status, expiration date, and any disciplinary actions. It is free and takes about two minutes.
What credentials should a New Jersey dentist have?
A licensed general dentist holds a DMD or DDS from an accredited dental school and has met national and state licensing requirements. Specialists carry additional credentials specific to their field.
What are warning signs when booking a dentist online?
No listing in the state database, no fixed physical office address, no written pricing or treatment plan, no verifiable reviews, and unwillingness to answer questions before you book.
Can I verify Dr. Mikhail’s license?
Yes. Dr. Peter Mikhail is licensed with the State of New Jersey, and you can confirm it through the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs license lookup linked above.
Verify before you book
Whether you are looking for a new dentist or just want to make sure your current one checks out, the NJ Consumer Affairs database is the right place to start. It is public, it is free, and it takes about two minutes.
Search the NJ dentist license database
If you are looking for a dentist in the Spotswood, NJ area, we would be glad to meet you. SiRa Dentistry serves patients throughout Middlesex County.
Call (732) 454-7472 or book your new patient appointment online.