The Georgia Board of Dentistry has eleven members who are appointed by the Governor, and is comprised of nine dentists, one dental hygienist, and one consumer member. The Board carries out its responsibility for protecting the public health in the practice of dentistry by regulating and enforcing the standards of practice.

Through the Dental Board's licensure process, the Board ensures that those applying for licensure in this state as a dentist or dental hygienist have acceptable education, training, and personal character to safely practice in Georgia. In carrying out its regulatory functions, the Board sets and defines standards to draw the line between safe and dangerous dental practices.

The Georgia Board of Dentistry fulfills its enforcement responsibilities by identifying and sanctioning those who practice below the accepted standards of the profession, or without the necessary qualifications. The Board generally meets once each month.

On June 11, 2009, the spread of the H1N1 flu virus caused the World Health Organization to raise the pandemic alert level to Phase 6, the highest level. Georgia officials are currently preparing for the H1N1 influenza campaign and the seasonal influenza campaign that will be conducted during fall and winter. The Department of Community Health is asking all health professionals to serve as emergency response volunteers by signing up to assist with the 2009-2010 novel H1N1 vaccine immunization plan. For more information and to sign up for the online volunteer pool at www.servga.org.