Safeguard your Kansas Dental License: Avoid these Six Misdeeds

In April 2013, an Oklahoma dentist made headlines when it was reported that more than 60 people who had visited his practice over the years had tested positive for HIV or hepatitis. The dentist now faces a formal hearing before the Oklahoma Dentistry Board for using rusted equipment that was not properly sterilized and also, reusing syringes. The dentist has surrendered his license but may also face criminal charges. This case is a clear-cut example of behavior that warrants loss of license, but there are other cases that aren’t quite as black and white. To safeguard your dental license, here are a number of misdeeds that you should avoid:

  1. HIPAA Violations: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) protects patient’s private health information from being improperly shared. In order to protect your license, make certain that your staff members are well trained and understand their responsibilities with respect to HIPAA and other relevant laws.
  1. Drug and Alcohol Abuse:  Drinking and driving is not only a dangerous combination but it can also jeopardize your dental license. The Kansas Dental Practices Act prohibits any behavior that it deems to be detrimental to the general public’s health, safety and welfare. The Act further allows the Board to discipline any licensee that habitually uses intoxicants or drugs that render the licensee unfit to practice. This also, of course, includes performing dental work while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
  1. Conviction of Certain Crimes: Pursuant to the Dental Practices Act, a licensee that is convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving “moral turpitude” is subject to discipline if the licensee has not shown that he or she has since been rehabilitated as to warrant the public’s trust. Crimes of moral turpitude include fraud, blackmail, extortion, forgery and any violent crime.
  1. Failure to Maintain Current Information with the Board: To avoid any problems, confirm that your information is up to date with the Board. This includes making sure that licensing fees are paid and that you have met the continuing education requirements, which includes obtaining a current CPR certificate.
  1. Patient Mistreatment or Abuse: Patients, regardless of their race, ethnicity and religious beliefs, must be treated with the highest professional care. Discrimination against any patient on one of these grounds is cause for discipline.
  1. Employment of Unlicensed Professionals: A licensee needs to be responsible for his or her own behavior but also must be watchful in who they employ. Allowing an unlicensed or clearly unqualified person to engage in the practice of dentistry or dental hygiene can subject the licensee to a multitude of disciplinary measures.  Before hiring anyone, confirm that their license is in good standing and that they are qualified to practice. 

If you are facing an inquiry by the Kansas Dental Board Call the Sanger Law Office at 785-979-4353 for a free and completely confidential consultation. Your dental license is not just a piece of paper, it is your career and livelihood. Nobody understands the importance of your professional license than the Sanger Law Office. Trust our team of experienced professionals to defend your license and protect your reputation.

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