IV. The State of Your License
Most dentists do not ponder their licensure. Most spend no time reflecting on how they obtained their license and what allows them current use of it.
For a moment, consider this: you went to dental school and obtained a degree in dental surgery, yet this alone was not enough for you to obtain a license to practice. Only when you passed Board Exams did the State in which you practice issue you a license. Why? The Constitution of your State gave your State legislature the power to write laws; in turn, they wrote laws to describe the requirements needed to obtain a license to practice dentistry. This is good! You're licensed! It's yours! They also, however, wrote laws that describe situations when the State can step in and take away a dental license, completely or partially.
The good news is, many dentists are not faced with this potentially career debilitating situation, however, it can happen to anyone, at any time.
In order to be prepared for such an event, it is wise to review your own State's Dental Practice Act, and it's associated rules. Common topics that can give rise to a professional regulation investigation are: dental care rendered below the standard of care, unprofessional conduct, billing irregularities, false or misleading advertising, improper prescribing or handling of controlled substances, and aiding and abetting the unlicensed practice of dentistry.
These seminars give real life examples of situations that can give rise to such allegations, and how they can be avoided.
Our seminars also explore, in detail, how a licensure investigation begins, how to respond to an investigation, the process that follows, and what sanctions and fines may be imposed. Furthermore, we look at some potential long term consequences of licensure sanctions.
Lillian Obucina, Inc. is a resource for dental professionals on the law, regulations, and codes of ethics in dentistry. Education, information, insight, and motivation can avoid legal and ethical problems, and eliminate much uncertainty in dental office operations and patient management.