Sometimes, we as humans cannot perform well at work, which is why you need a dental license attorney to assist you if you did not intend to work inaccurately at the clinic. This is a serious matter after all because a dentist is committed to working with excellence in providing the right treatment possible for the sake of a better reputation for both the dentist and the clinic.
However, a certain dentist from Texas failed to do so on or about May 16, 2013, when she failed to provide proper treatment for the patient. It’s because she extracted four of the patient’s teeth, then prescribed to use Percodan and Penicillin and gave the patient instructions to use salt water and ice. A business card was also provided to the patient for emergency purposes.
After a few hours when the patient went home, she started to suffer from immense pain while her gums are bleeding. She took medication and contacted the business card provided to her, but was advised that it is a normal case for patients who extracted their teeth.
But the patient’s pain was unbearable, but there was no dentist to assist her using the business card provided to her. She then went to a different city in Texas to seek assistance. Afterward her treatment with another dentist, the patient filed a complaint to the dentist and her clinic for providing the promised “emergency assistance” the moment she was given a card.
The Texas Board of Dental Examiners advised the dentist to attend a hearing regarding the complaint filed against her. She admitted that at the time, she was suffering from the impaired performance which is why she failed to provide proper treatment during extraction. She also failed to reply immediately as she was too impaired to work.
Later on, it was found out that she was regularly taking Percodan using a DEA form. She admitted that she was using it personally, as well as sharing it. However, she added that it was for “religious purposes”. But due to a lack of proper dental license attorney who can assist her, the case turned out with a negative result which caused her dental license to be suspended.
The Texas Administrative Code, specifically Chapter 108 provides for the violations:
(1) Criminal conduct–including but not limited to conviction of a misdemeanor involving fraud or a felony under federal law or the law of any state as outlined in Chapter 101 of this title.
(2) Deception or misrepresentation–engages in deception or misrepresentation:
(A) in soliciting or obtaining patronage; or
(B) in obtaining a fee.
(3) Fraud in obtaining a license–obtains a license by fraud or misrepresentation or participates in a conspiracy to procure a license, registration, or certification for an unqualified person.
(4) Misconduct involving drugs or alcohol–actions or conduct that include, but are not limited to:
(A) providing dental services to a patient while the licensee is impaired through the use of drugs, narcotics, or alcohol;
(B) addicted to or habitually intemperate in the use of alcoholic beverages or drugs;
(C) improperly obtained, possessed, or used habit-forming drugs or narcotics including self-prescription of drugs;
(D) grossly over prescribes, dispenses, or administers narcotic drugs, dangerous drugs, or controlled substances;
(E) prescribes, dispenses, or administers narcotic drugs, dangerous drugs, or controlled substances to or for a person who is not his or her dental patient; or
(F) prescribes, dispenses, or administers narcotic drugs, dangerous drugs, or controlled substances to a person for a non-dental purpose, whether or not the person is a dental patient.
(5) Assisting another in engaging in the unauthorized practice of dentistry or dental hygiene–holds a dental license and employs, permits, or has employed or permitted a person not licensed to practice dentistry to practice dentistry in an office of the dentist that is under the dentist’s control or management.
(6) Failure to comply with applicable laws, rules, regulations, and orders or remedial plans–violates or refuses to comply with a law relating to the regulation of dentists, dental hygienists, or dental assistants; fails to cooperate with a Board investigation; or fails to comply with the terms of a Board Order or remedial plan.
(7) Inability to practice safely–is physically or mentally incapable of practicing in a manner that is safe for the person’s dental patients.
(8) Discipline of a licensee by another state board–holds a license or certificate to practice dentistry or dental hygiene in another state and the examining board of that state:
(A) reprimands the person;
(B) suspends or revokes the person’s license or certificate or places the person on probation; or
(C) imposes another restriction on the person’s practice.
(9) Failure to comply with Medicaid, insurance, or other regulatory laws–knowingly provides or agrees to provide dental care in a manner that violates a federal or state law that:
(A) regulates a plan to provide, arrange for, pay for, or reimburse any part of the cost of dental care services; or
(B) regulates the business of insurance.
(10) Improper delegation–improperly delegates any task to any individual who is not permitted to perform the task by law, this chapter, or practice restrictions imposed by Board Order.
(11) Unprofessional conduct–engages in conduct that has become established through professional experience as likely to disgrace, degrade, or bring discredit upon the licensee or the dental profession.
If you’re facing a case that may suspend your dental license, it’s always best to seek the assistance of a skilled dental license attorney. Gladly, Dental License Attorney Yong J. An is always happy to help through his expertise in handling dental license cases for over 14 years. You may schedule a private consultation with him by dialing (832) 428-5679.