Dentist’s License Suspended for Poor Recordkeeping
A licensed professional such as a dentist can have their license suspended for a variety of reasons. One common reason is substandard patient care, but a dentist may face license suspension or revocation for actions that may not seem as obvious, such as poor recordkeeping.
Poor recordkeeping and infection control violations recently got a dentist in trouble with the law. The dentist, from Washington, got his license suspended after an audit revealed inadequate patient records. In addition, the Department of Health conducted an infection control inspection and it yielded violations.
The man is prohibited from practicing as a dentist until the charges are resolved. He has just 20 days to respond to the charges and request a hearing.
Reasons for Dentist License Suspension in Florida
The Board of Dentistry will discipline a dentist if certain criteria are not met. These criteria are based on laws, morals and ethics and are in place for the safety of patients.
Punishment will vary based on the severity of the violation as well as the type of violation. For example, if a dentist has a substance abuse problem, the Board may recommend rehabilitation in the form of inpatient or outpatient treatment.
The Board also has the ability to suspend or revoke licenses. It can also put a dentist on probation, allowing him or her to work under certain restrictions. For minor offenses, it may impose written warnings or fines.
There are several dozen ways in which a dentist can lose their license in Florida. The reasons are outlined in Florida Statutes Section 466.028 and include the following:
- Use of fraud or bribery to obtain or renew a license
- Advising or assisting an unlicensed person to practice dentistry
- Being convicted of a crime, even if it is not related to the dentistry profession
- Touching a patient’s sexual organs or engaging in other forms of sexual battery
- Misleading the public through false advertising
- Making false or fraudulent representation of the dentistry profession
- Filing false reports
- Failure to maintain proper patient records, including medical history records and written dental records
- Use of substandard materials or equipment
- Practicing under another person’s name
- Impairment while performing dentistry services on a patient
- Being unable to practice with reasonable skill due to a physical or mental impairment
- Administering anesthesia in an unauthorized manner
- Prescribing drugs in inappropriate quantities
- Prescribing testosterone or other hormones for the purpose of building muscle
- Presigning blank prescription forms
- Performing services that have not been authorized by the patient
- Accepting responsibilities that they unauthorized or unable to perform
- Delegating responsibilities to someone who is not competent enough to perform them
Keep Your License With Help From a Tampa Dentistry License Lawyer
Dentists must not only provide excellent patient care but also abide by certain regulations, particularly when it comes to recordkeeping. Good records management is important for dentists and other licensed professionals who own businesses for legal and tax purposes.
Poor records management may not seem like a big deal, but it can lead to license suspension and revocation. Protect your license and livelihood with help from Tampa dentistry license lawyer David P. Rankin. He has helped dentists and other licensed professionals keep their licenses. Schedule a consultation today. Call (813) 968-6633 or fill out the online form.
Resource:
kiro7.com/news/local/king-county-dentist-suspended-on-allegations-of-continually-violating-infection-control/954847424
https://www.davidrankinlaw.com/dentist-with-fake-credentials-convicted-of-fraud/
