Taxonomy code 122300000X: Dentist

122300000X is the NUCC Health Care Provider Taxonomy code for Dentist, in the group Dental Providers. It is one of the codes a provider lists on the NPI application to tell CMS and payers what they do.

Code

122300000X

Grouping

Dental Providers

Classification

Dentist

Section

Individual

NUCC version

26.1

Definition

A dentist is a person qualified by a doctorate in dental surgery (D.D.S.) or dental medicine (D.M.D.), licensed by the state to practice dentistry, and practicing within the scope of that license. There is no difference between the two degrees: dentists who have a DMD or DDS have the same education. Universities have the prerogative to determine what degree is awarded. Both degrees use the same curriculum requirements set by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation. Generally, three or more years of undergraduate education plus four years of dental school is required to graduate and become a general dentist. State licensing boards accept either degree as equivalent, and both degrees allow licensed individuals to practice the same scope of general dentistry. Additional post-graduate training is required to become a dental specialist.

NUCC notes: Source: Council on Dental Education and Licensure, American Dental Association

Who uses this code

A general dentist code. Most general dentists choose Dentist, General Practice (1223G0001X) instead.

Dentists: Dentist (no specialization): a general code; most general dentists use General Practice instead.

Get an NPI with this taxonomy

Two free ways. SimpleNPI files the application for you, and a person confirms the taxonomy before filing; the NPI usually arrives by email and text, with all the documentation, within 10 minutes. Or apply yourself at nppes.cms.hhs.gov and type the code into the taxonomy field. First, check the free registry in case you already have an NPI.

Option 1 · Free · Easiest

SimpleNPI files it for you

One short form: name, license, contact, address, identity and an e-signed authorization. About 3 minutes, no CMS account to create.
A person checks your license and address, then files the application with CMS under your signed authorization.
Your NPI arrives by email and text, with all the documentation, usually within 10 minutes. Filed after midnight Eastern? It issues around 6 am Eastern.

Usually within 10 minutes after the form is complete.

Start the free application

Option 2 · Free

Apply yourself at NPPES

Create an Identity & Access account at nppes.cms.hhs.gov.
Choose Apply for an NPI for myself, Individual (Type 1).
Enter identity, addresses, taxonomy code and license number, then certify and submit.

Usually a few business days; often minutes when the Social Security match passes.

Go to NPPES

Related codes in Dentist

Code	Name
`1223D0004X`	Dentist, Dental Anesthesiology
`1223D0001X`	Dentist, Dental Public Health
`1223E0200X`	Dentist, Endodontics
`1223G0001X`	Dentist, General Practice
`1223P0106X`	Dentist, Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
`1223X0008X`	Dentist, Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
`1223S0112X`	Dentist, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
`125Q00000X`	Dentist, Oral Medicine
`1223X2210X`	Dentist, Orofacial Pain
`1223X0400X`	Dentist, Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
`1223P0221X`	Dentist, Pediatric Dentistry
`1223P0300X`	Dentist, Periodontics

Questions

Can I change my taxonomy code later?

Yes, for free, in your NPPES account. Add the new code with its license, make it primary, and remove the old one if it no longer applies. The NPI itself never changes.

Does 122300000X have to match my license?

It should describe the profession your license covers. Payers compare the taxonomy with the license during credentialing, and a mismatch slows that down.

Written by Ammon Hardin, LMT, who grew a massage practice to ten locations, built a veteran therapy network, and credentialed a large number of providers along the way. Updated Tue Oct 27, 2026. Free to read, free to use; SimpleNPI files NPI applications for free.