The board may, from time to time, through its members or other suitable persons, take a census of all practicing dentists and dental hygienists of any locality, city, or county in the state when it may consider it necessary for the purpose of carrying out this chapter; the board may at any time cause the names of all licensed dentists and dental hygienists in any locality, city, or county to be posted or published; and the board is authorized to pay for taking such census and posting or publishing such names.