The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) regulates the medical practice of dentistry in Texas. As such, the TSBDE investigates complaints filed against Texas Dentists alleging quality of care allegations, sanitation violations, professional conduct issues, and violations of the Dental Practice Act and TSBDE Rules.
Further, certain criminal charges can affect your ability to receive or renew your dental license in Texas. If you are facing criminal charges and you hold a dental license from the TSBDE or you plan to apply for a license, it is critical that you consult with an experienced dental license defense attorney.
Your criminal law attorney can handle your criminal matter, but that fact is that licensing matters and administrative law are highly specialized areas―your dental licensing matter is best handled by a dental license defense attorney. Dentists and Criminal Offenses – What Texas Dentists Need to Know The TSBDE considers criminal behavior to be highly relevant to an individual’s fitness to engage in the practice of dentistry in Texas. The Board has outlined a number of disciplinary actions that it can impose in regard to specified criminal convictions.
For the following types of offenses, the Dental Board may take the following disciplinary actions:
- Criminal offenses relating to the regulation of dentists, dental hygienists, or dental assistants or committed in the practice of or connected to dentistry, dental hygiene or dental assistance:
- 0-5 years since disposition – Denial or revocation of license .
- 6-10 years since disposition – 5 years Probated Suspension of license.
- 11-20 years since disposition – 3 years Probated Suspension of license.
- Over 20 years since disposition – 1 year Probated Suspension of license.
- Criminal offenses requiring the individual maintain current registration as a sex offender with the Department of Public Safety Chapter 62, Code of Criminal Procedure:
- Denial or revocation of license.
- Felony offenses under: (1) Health and Safety Code Chapters 481 or 483 (related to substance abuse and dangerous drugs, respectively); (2) Health and Safety Code §485.033 (related to inhalant paraphernalia); or (3) the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 (21 U.S.C. §801 et seq.):
- 0-5 years since disposition – Denial or revocation of license.
- 6-10 years since disposition – 5 years Probated Suspension of license.
- 11-20 years since disposition – 3 years Probated Suspension of license.
- Over 20 years since disposition – 1 year Probated Suspension of license.
- All other felony offenses:
- Currently on probation – Denial or revocation of license, or 30- to 180- day suspension followed by 5 years probation of license.
- 0-5 years since disposition – 5 years Probated Suspension of license.
- 6-10 years since disposition – 3 years Probated Suspension of license.
- 11-20 years since disposition – 1 year Probated Suspension of license.
*The language “since disposition” refers to the date a criminal action is entered by the court.
The foregoing are not the only crimes that may give rise to disciplinary action for a licensee or license applicant of the TSBDE. Further, the above guidelines on disciplinary actions may be used in conjunction with other types of disciplinary actions, including administrative penalties. Hire an Experienced Dental License Defense Lawyer in Texas If you are facing criminal charges or are under investigation by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners, we urge you to seek the advice of an experienced Dental license defense attorney.
The lawyers at BERTOLINO LLP know how to navigate Texas State Board of Dental Examiners licensing issues, including issues involving criminal convictions and licensing Board complaints. We know where to look for evidence and how to use that information to build a successful legal strategy.
If you are facing disciplinary action from the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners contact us today or call (512) 476-5757 and schedule a case evaluation. BERTOLINO LLP proudly represents licensed professionals across the entire State of Texas. To best serve our clients we have offices in Austin, Houston, and San Antonio.
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