In re the Proposed Disciplinary Action Against the Dentist License of Schultz

375 N.W.2d 509, 1985 Minn. App. LEXIS 4577
CourtCourt of Appeals of Minnesota
DecidedOctober 15, 1985
DocketNo. C9-85-761
StatusPublished
Cited by3 cases

This text of 375 N.W.2d 509 (In re the Proposed Disciplinary Action Against the Dentist License of Schultz) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Minnesota primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
In re the Proposed Disciplinary Action Against the Dentist License of Schultz, 375 N.W.2d 509, 1985 Minn. App. LEXIS 4577 (Mich. Ct. App. 1985).

Opinion

[512]*512OPINION

SEDGWICK, Judge.

Roger Schultz, DDS, appeals by writ of certiorari from an order of the Minnesota Board of Dentistry suspending him indefinitely from the practice of dentistry and imposing conditions for reinstatement. Schultz contends that the Board’s suspension of his license is illegal, its findings are unsupported by substantial evidence, and the findings do not warrant discipline.

We affirm.

FACTS

Roger Schultz has been licensed to practice dentistry in Minnesota since 1967. The Board of Dentistry initiated proceedings to determine whether his license should be revoked, suspended, limited, modified or conditioned because he violated Minn.Stat. § 150A.08 (Supp.1983) and Minn.R. 3100.-6200. A 12 day hearing was held before an administrative law judge. The administrative law judge concluded that although a number of the charges were not proved, Schultz violated the statute and rule in 16 separate instances. He recommended that the Board take disciplinary action. He specifically noted that he did not believe Schultz in most instances where the testimony was in conflict.

The Board adopted most of the findings made by the administrative law judge and made additional findings. It adopted most of the administrative law judge’s conclusions that there were violations of the statute and rule but rejected several. Based on its additional findings, the Board concluded there were violations in addition to those found by the administrative law judge. These additional violations mainly relate to incompetence in recording diagnosis and treatment, unwarranted charges, and deviations from the accepted standards of practice. In total the Board found 20 separate violations.

The Board indefinitely suspended Schultz’s license to practice dentistry. It further ordered that Schultz could petition for reinstatement but no sooner than April 8, 1986. Under the Board’s order, Schultz has the burden of proving that his petition should be granted. At a minimum, he must receive a psychiatric evaluation within 30 days of his suspension, comply with a treatment plan if one is recommended, be evaluated by a psychiatrist 60 days immediately preceding his petition, successfully complete courses in dental ethics and oral diagnosis, make a report about his intervening activities, and write a paper about the application of dental ethics to his new dental practice.

Schultz seeks review of the suspension.

ISSUES

1. Did the Board comply with statutory requirements when suspending Schultz?

2. Does the conduct, as stated in the findings, warrant discipline?

ANALYSIS

I.

Schultz contends that the discipline imposed by the Board and the Board’s Conclusion of Law 5 clearly suggest that it was relying primarily upon Minn.Stat. § 150A.08, subd. 1(8), as the ground for suspending him. This statute provides that the Board may suspend a dentist if any physical, mental, emotional, or other disability adversely affects his or her ability. See Minn.Stat. § 150A.08, subd. 1(8). He further contends that if this ground is used without first having probable cause to believe that his mental or emotional condition adversely affects his performance and without obtaining an expert opinion, the suspension is unlawful. Schultz rests his argument upon two bases. First, one of the Board’s conclusion of law states that:

Respondent has demonstrated over the years a course of dishonest behavior, charging for services not rendered, performing unnecessary services, engaging in sexually inappropriate touching of patients, perpetuating fraud upon patients and third party payers, displaying threatening behavior towards his colleagues and others, and either unwillingness or [513]*513inability to engage in minimal acceptable documentation required for safe practice. The Board concludes that such behavior evidences a mental, emotional, or other disability adversely affecting his ability to perform dental services.

Conclusion of Law 5 (emphasis added). Second, as a condition of reinstatement, Schultz must consult with a psychiatrist within 30 days of his suspension, comply with a treatment plan if one is recommended, and be evaluated by a psychiatrist 60 days immediately preceding his petition.

We are unpersuaded by Schultz’s argument. The suspension of a license to practice dentistry is governed by Minn. Stat. § 150A.08, subd. 1. The Board may suspend a license:

upon any of the following grounds:
(I) Fraud or deception in connection with the practice of dentistry * * *;
(6) Conduct unbecoming a person licensed to practice dentistry * ⅜ ⅝ or conduct contrary to the best interest of the public, as such conduct is defined by the rules of the board;
(8) Any physical, mental, emotional, or other disability which adversely affects a dentist’s ⅝ ⅝ ⅜ ability to perform ⅜ * *;
(II) Employing, assisting, or enabling in any manner an unlicensed person to practice dentistry * * *.

Minn.Stat. § 150A.08, subd. 1 (emphasis added). Minn.R. 3100.6200 defines “[conduct unbecoming a person licensed to practice dentistry * * * or conduct contrary to the best interests of the public * *

The Board concluded that Schultz violated the statute in 20 instances. Its conclusions were specific and based upon specific findings. It found three violations of subdivision 1(1) and one violation of subdivision 1(11). The remainder were violations of subdivision 1(6) and the rule.

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Related

Johnson v. Board of Governors of Registered Dentists
913 P.2d 1339 (Supreme Court of Oklahoma, 1996)
Matter of Schultz, Etc.
375 N.W.2d 509 (Court of Appeals of Minnesota, 1985)

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Bluebook (online)
375 N.W.2d 509, 1985 Minn. App. LEXIS 4577, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/in-re-the-proposed-disciplinary-action-against-the-dentist-license-of-minnctapp-1985.