Understanding the Dental Board complaint process
When the TSBDE receives a complaint against a dentist, dental hygienist, dental assistant, or dental laboratory, it will first conduct a preliminary investigation to determine whether it has the authority to act. TSBDE jurisdiction includes duty of fair dealings, quality of care concerns, and professional and ethical conduct as well as compliance with TSBDE rules and regulations. Failure to meet standards of care complaints are reviewed by the Dental Review Panel as well.
Complaints determined to be under TSBDE jurisdiction result in a formal investigation. If notified by the Dental Board you are under investigation, you have a limited time to respond to the TSBDE investigative staff. Meanwhile, the investigative staff will have begun the investigation process with authority to review patient records, billing records, and other documents as well as interview involved parties and take other investigative steps as needed.
A complaint with sufficient evidence will proceed to the disciplinary process, at which point TSBDE may impose an Administrative Penalty, recommend a Remedial Plan, or impose a formal Board Order. At each stage, you have rights and opportunities to take proactive actions to protect your license, including the ability to negotiate with the complainant and TSBDE.
