La. Admin. Code tit. 46 § XXXIII-124
Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024
Section XXXIII-124 - Guidelines for Returning to Active PracticeA.Section 124 is intended to provide guidelines to enable the board to provide evaluation and remediation to dentists and dental hygienists who have not actively practiced their professions for a sufficient length of time for any reason which would justify various levels of remediation to assure the board that the dentist or dental hygienist is sufficiently qualified to again practice on the public. This Section applies whether or not a license has been inactivated.B. In all cases where a dentist or dental hygienist has not practiced their profession due to a problem concerning unprofessional conduct, substance abuse, criminal activity, or other issues concerning moral turpitude, said dentist or dental hygienist may be assessed by a psychiatrist or psychologist of the board's choosing to determine remediability. The cost of the assessment shall be borne by the dentist or dental hygienist.C. Evaluations of the diagnostic, clinical, and laboratory skills of the dentist or dental hygienist shall be evaluated by an entity of the board's choosing. The costs of the evaluation shall be borne by the dentist or dental hygienist. Evaluations may include, but not be limited to, comprehensive table examinations, written examinations, and clinical examinations. These examinations shall cover those areas of dentistry the board feels are necessary to have evaluated.D. When a licensee has been inactive for a period of three months to one year, it is the prerogative of the board to have the licensee evaluated in any specific or all fields of dentistry or dental hygiene as deemed necessary by the board.E. In all cases where a license has been suspended for a period of three months or more, the dentist or dental hygienist shall successfully complete a course in ethics as determined by the board in addition to any other requirements at the discretion of the board.F. hen a licensee has not practiced for one year or greater, an evaluation by a dentist and/or specialist appointed by the board shall be conducted. Varying degrees of remediation shall be determined by the board on a case-by-case basis. Areas of specific concern for general dentists are: 1. oral diagnosis/treatment planning;5. removable prosthodontics;8. pain control/pharmacology;9. nitrous oxide sedation;10. cardiopulmonary resuscitation;G. Specialists may be evaluated by other specialists in that field appointed by the board, or oral examinations, or written examinations.H. Dental hygienists shall be evaluated on all areas of dental hygiene for which they are authorized to perform. These evaluations may be performed by written and/or clinical examinations.I. When a license has been inactive for one year or greater, the licensee must submit to a fingerprint background check.J. When a license has been inactive or a licensee has not practiced for one year or greater, the licensee will be required to successfully pass an examination administered by the board testing the licensees knowledge of the Louisiana Dental Practice Act and the jurisprudence affecting same. In addition, within 120 days of the reinstatement of a license or the licensees return to active practice, the licensee will be required to complete one-half of the continuing education requirement for relicensure as described in §1611 The continuing education courses shall include a board-approved cardiopulmonary resuscitation course.K. In all cases, the board has the discretion to prescribe any course of remediation it deems fit and proper, including, but not limited to, requiring further education at a dental or dental hygiene school, participation in mini-residencies, or practicing only under the direct supervision of other licensed dentists.L. Any dentist or dental hygienist who is authorized to return to active practice with restrictions or requirements on their license who do not completely satisfy said requirements or restrictions shall be subject to sanctions, including, but not limited to, revocation of their license whether or not a complaint has been received by the board.La. Admin. Code tit. 46, § XXXIII-124
Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Board of Dentistry, LR 25:511 (March 1999), amended LR 28:1776 (August 2002), LR 28:2512 (December 2002), LR 37:3515 (December 2011), repromulgated LR 38:355 (February 2012), amended LR 38:2771 (November 2012), LR 411285 (7/1/2015).AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 37:760(8).