Dentists
The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners is responsible for monitoring and regulating the practice of Dentistry in the state of Texas through the enforcement of the Dental Practice Act, Texas Occupations Code § 251.001 et. al.
§ 263.002 of the Dental Practice Act authorizes the Board of Dental Examiners to impose disciplinary action against a license or dentist’s registration for:
- Negligent Quality of Care
- Professional Misconduct
- Non-Therapeutic Prescribing
- Boundary Violations
- Inadequate Maintenace of Patient Charts & Records
- Chemical Dependency
- Criminal Arrests, Charges or Convictions
- Unprofessional Conduct
 The disciplinary process begins with an Investigation by the Board of Dental Examiner’s Enforcement Division into the license holder’s alleged violation under 22 Texas Administrative Code § 107 Subchapter B. Once the investigation is completed, the Board has three options: (1) close the case for a lack of a violation; (2) refer the case to an Informal Settlement Conference (Dental Practice Act §§ 263.007 – 263.0075 and 22 Texas Administrative Code § 107.63,); or (3) refer the case for an Administrative Hearing (Dental Practice Act § 263.003). The dentist has a right to counsel at every stage of this disciplinary process.Pursuant to Dental Practice Act § 263.002(a), the Dental Board may reprimand or administratively fine the license holder and may probate and monitor, suspend, or revoke a dentist’s license to practice dentistry in the state of Texas based on any finding of a ground for discipline.
With regards to chemical dependency, the Board of Dental Examiners takes a proactive approach to providing recovery and support for dentists with an addiction to alcohol or chemical dependency. The Professional Recovery Network, established by the Texas Pharmacy Association, assists dental professionals who suffer from the disease of addiction. |
