CPG Sec. 315.100 Illegal Interstate Commercial Shipment of Dentures (CPG retitled and revised 
5/19/2005)  
Document Effective Date: May 19, 2005 
This document supersedes Compliance Policy Guide (CPG) Sec. 315.100 Dentures; Sale in Interstate 
Commerce of Dentures by Persons not Licensed to Practice Dentistry (CPG 7124.07) that was issued in 
August 1996. 
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 
Food and Drug Administration 
Office of Regulatory Affairs 
 
Preface 
Public Comment: 
At any time, interested persons may submit written comments regarding this document to the Division 
of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, 
Rockville, MD 20852. The comments are to be identified with the title of this guidance document. Such 
comments will be considered when determining whether to amend the current guidance.  
Additional Copies: 
 A copy of the guidance may be downloaded to a personal computer with access to the Internet. The 
Office of Regulatory Affairs webpage includes the guidance and may be accessed at 
http://www.fda.gov/ora/compliance_ref/cpg/cpgdev/cpg315-100.html. 
Compliance Policy Guide Guidance 
This guidance represents the Food and Drug Administrations (FDAs) current thinking on this topic. It 
does not create or confer any rights for or on any person and does not operate to bind FDA or the 
public. You can use an alternative approach if the approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable 
statutes and regulations. If you want to discuss an alternative approach, contact the FDA staff 
responsible for implementing this guidance.  
FDAs guidance documents, including this guidance, do not establish legally enforceable responsibilities. 
Instead, guidance describes the Agencys current thinking on a topic and should be viewed only as 
recommendations, unless specific regulatory or statutory requirements are cited. The use of the word 
should in Agency guidance means that something is suggested or recommended, but not required. 
Sub Chapter 315 Dental 
Sec. 315.100 *Illegal Interstate Commercial Shipment* of Dentures (CPG 7124.07) 
BACKGROUND:  The Federal Denture Act *of 1942* (Section 1821 of Title 18 *of the United States Code (18 USC 1821)) 
is *enforced by the Department of Justice.* This law was amended in 1996 (Public Law (PL) 104-294) 
and 2002 (PL 107-273) and reads* as follows: 
"S1821. Transportation of dentures 
Whoever transports by mail or otherwise to or within the District of Columbia or any Possession of the 
United States or uses the mails or any instrumentality of interstate commerce for the purpose of 
sending or bringing into any State or Territory any set of artificial teeth or prosthetic dental appliance or 
other denture, constructed from any cast or impression made by any person other than, or without the 
authorization or prescription of, a person licensed to practice dentistry under the laws of the place into 
which such denture is sent or brought, where such laws prohibit; 
1.  the taking of impressions or casts of the human mouth or teeth by a person not licensed under 
such laws to practice dentistry; 
2.  the construction or supply of dentures by a person other than, or without the authorization or 
prescription of, a person licensed under such laws to practice dentistry; or 
3.  the construction or supply of dentures from impressions or casts made by a person not licensed 
under such laws to practice dentistry - 
Shall be fined *under this title* or imprisoned not more than one year, or both." 
REGULATORY ACTION GUIDANCE: 
Reports of violations of the Federal Denture Act should *first* be referred to the *local office of the 
Office of Criminal Investigations (OCI)* for review. *After consulting with the Center for Devices and 
Radiological Health's Office of Compliance (CDRH/OC), the OCI may refer the matter to the appropriate 
United States Attorney for consideration for criminal prosecution or to CDRH/OC. The latter office may 
take appropriate non-criminal action for any violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or 
refer the report to state or local regulatory authorities.* 
*Material between asterisks is new or revised* 
Issued: 4/26/76 
Revised: 10/1/80, 11/21/88, 8/96, 5/19/05