Naming Your California Dental Corporation: What the Dentist's Need to Know

Forming a dental corporation in California involves more than filing Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State. Dentists are regulated not only by corporate law but also by the Dental Board of California under the Dental Practice Act, and the name of your corporation is treated as a professional representation to the public.

Because of this, the name must comply with:

• • • The Moscone-Knox Professional Corporation Act

    • The Dental Practice Act

    • Advertising regulations under Business and Professions Code §651

    • Corporate naming rules under the California Corporations Code

In other words, choosing a name for your dental corporation is not just a branding decision—it is a regulated compliance requirement. 

Below are the key rules dentists should understand before selecting a corporate name.

1. Your Dental Corporation Must Include a Corporate Designator

California law requires that the name of a professional corporation include a corporate identifier that clearly signals the entity is a corporation.

Common compliant examples include:

• Dental Corporation

• A Professional Corporation

• Professional Corporation

• P.C.

Examples of compliant names:

• Smith Dental Corporation

• Maria Lopez, D.D.S., A Professional Corporation

Failing to include a corporate designator will typically cause the filing to be rejected.

In practice, using“Dental Corporation” is often the safest option because it clearly identifies both the profession and the corporate structure.

2. The Name Must Not Be Misleading to the Public

Under Business and Professions Code §651, dental advertising—including the name of the corporation—must not be false, misleading, or deceptive.

This means the name cannot:

• Suggest services outside the scope of dentistry

• Imply credentials the dentist does not hold

• Misrepresent the structure or nature of the practice

The Dental Board evaluates names based on how a reasonable patient would interpret them.

Because the corporate name appears on:

• signage

• patient agreements

• insurance forms

• websites

it is treated as ongoing advertising.

3. Specialty Titles Are Heavily Regulated

This is where many dental corporations encounter problems.

California recognizes only certain specialty designations, and dentists generally cannot advertise themselves as specialists unless they meet specific credentialing requirements.

Names that may create regulatory issues include examples such as:

• California Orthodontic Institute

• Advanced Oral Surgery Center

• Implant Surgery Specialists

If the dentist shareholders are not recognized specialists in those areas, the name may be considered misleading under §651.

Even if a dentist routinely performs implant or cosmetic procedures, the corporate name should not imply specialty certification unless the credential actually exists.

4. Avoid Using “Medical” Terminology

Dental corporations must be careful when using medical terminology in their names.

Terms that may raise concerns include:

• Medical Corporation

• Medical Center

• Surgical Medical Institute

Dentists are licensed under the Dental Practice Act, not the medical practice statutes governing physicians. Using language that suggests a general medical practice or physician services may be viewed as misleading.

Your corporate name should clearly communicate that the entity provides dental services regulated by the Dental Board of California. 

5. Institutional Terms May Also Be Problematic

Words that suggest academic or nonprofit affiliation can also create compliance concerns.

Examples include:

• Institute

• Academy

• College

• Foundation

These terms may imply:

• academic endorsement

• nonprofit research organizations

• educational institutions

If the dental corporation does not actually operate in that capacity, the name could be considered misleading.

While not always prohibited, these words should be used very cautiously.

6. Secretary of State Approval Does NOT Mean Dental Board Approval

One of the most common misunderstandings is assuming that approval by the California Secretary of State means the name is legally compliant.

The Secretary of State only reviews whether:

• the name is distinguishable from other corporations

• the filing meets corporate formatting requirements

The Secretary of Statedoes NOT evaluate professional licensing compliance.

The Dental Board of California retains authority to review whether the name complies with:

• the Dental Practice Act

• advertising regulations

• specialty representation rules

It is therefore possible for a name to be accepted for corporate filing but still create regulatory issues later.

7. Trade Names (DBAs) Must Also Comply

Dental corporations sometimes operate under a fictitious business name (DBA) for marketing purposes.

DBAs are filed with the Dental Board of California as they are allowed to regulate under the Dental Practice ACt.  

However:

• A DBA does not replace the legal corporate name

• Both the legal name and the DBA must comply with advertising laws

A misleading trade name can still trigger Dental Board scrutiny even if the corporate name itself is compliant.

Practical Naming Tips for Dental Corporations

The safest naming approach is typically:

 Include Dental Corporation or Professional Corporation

 Avoid specialty claims unless properly credentialed

 Avoid medical terminology

 Avoid academic or institutional language unless accurate

 Ensure the name clearly identifies a dentist-owned practice

Examples of conservative, compliant names include:

• Smith Dental Corporation

• Green Valley Dental Care, A Professional Corporation

• Pacific Family Dentistry, Dental Corporation

Final Thoughts

•  

Because specialty claims and institutional terminology often trigger regulatory concerns, a clear and conservative naming structure is usually the safest approach.

By addressing these issues before filing formation documents, dentists can avoid:

• rejected filings

• corporate amendments

• potential scrutiny from the Dental Board of California.