§ 1950.5. — 1950.5. (Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 491, Sec. 6.)

Unprofessional conduct by a person licensed under this article is defined as, but is not limited to, any one of the following:
(a)
The obtaining of any fee by fraud or misrepresentation.
(b)
The aiding or abetting of any unlicensed person to practice dentistry or dental hygiene.
(c)
The aiding or abetting of a licensed person to practice dentistry or dental hygiene unlawfully.
(d)
The committing of any act or acts of sexual abuse, misconduct, or relations with a patient that are substantially related to the practice of
dental hygiene.
(e)
The use of any false, assumed, or fictitious name, either as an individual, firm, corporation, or otherwise, or any name other than the name under which the person is licensed to practice, in advertising or in any other manner indicating that the person is practicing or will practice dentistry, except the name specified in a valid permit issued pursuant to Section 1962.
(f)
The practice of accepting or receiving any commission or the rebating in any form or manner of fees for professional services, radiographs, prescriptions, or other services or articles supplied to patients.
(g)
The making use by the licensee or any agent of the licensee of any advertising statements of a character tending to deceive
or mislead the public.
(h)
The advertising of either professional superiority or the advertising of performance of professional services in a superior manner. This subdivision shall not prohibit advertising permitted by subdivision (h) of Section 651.
(i)
The employing or the making use of solicitors.
(j)
Advertising in violation of Section 651.
(k)
Advertising to guarantee any dental hygiene service, or to perform any dental hygiene procedure painlessly. This subdivision shall not prohibit advertising permitted by Section 651.
(l)
The violation of any of the provisions of this division.
(m)
The permitting of any person to operate dental radiographic equipment who has not met the requirements to do so, as determined by the dental hygiene board.
(n)
The clearly excessive administering of drugs or treatment, or the clearly excessive use of treatment procedures, or the clearly excessive use of treatment facilities, as determined by the customary practice and standards of the dental hygiene profession.
Any person who violates this subdivision is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) or more than six hundred dollars ($600), or by imprisonment for a term of not less than 60 days or more than 180 days, or by both a fine and imprisonment.
(o)
The use of threats or harassment against any patient or licensee for providing evidence in any possible or actual disciplinary action, or other legal action; or the discharge of an employee primarily based on the employee’s attempt to comply with the provisions of this chapter or to aid in the compliance.
(p)
Suspension or revocation of a license issued, or discipline imposed, by another state or territory on grounds that would be the basis of discipline in this state.
(q)
The alteration of a patient’s record with intent to deceive.
(r)
Unsanitary or unsafe office conditions, as determined by the customary practice and standards of the dental hygiene profession.
(s)
The abandonment of the patient by the licensee, without written notice to the patient that treatment is to be discontinued and before the patient has ample opportunity to secure the services of another registered dental hygienist, registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, or registered dental hygienist in extended functions and provided the health of the patient is not jeopardized.
(t)
The willful misrepresentation of facts relating to a disciplinary action to the patients of a disciplined licensee.
(u)
Use of fraud in the procurement of any license issued pursuant to this article.
(v)
Any action or conduct that would have warranted the denial of
the license.
(w)
The aiding or abetting of a registered dental hygienist, registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, or registered dental hygienist in extended functions to practice dental hygiene in a negligent or incompetent manner.
(x)
The failure to report to the dental hygiene board in writing within seven days any of the following: (1) the death of the licensee’s patient during the performance of any dental hygiene procedure; (2) the discovery of the death of a patient whose death is related to a dental hygiene procedure performed by the licensee; or (3) except for a scheduled hospitalization, the removal to a hospital or emergency center for medical treatment for a period exceeding 24 hours of any patient as a result of dental or dental hygiene treatment. Upon
receipt of a report pursuant to this subdivision, the dental hygiene board may conduct an inspection of the dental hygiene practice office if the dental hygiene board finds that it is necessary.
(y)
A registered dental hygienist, registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, or registered dental hygienist in extended functions shall report to the dental hygiene board all deaths occurring in their practice with a copy sent to the dental board if the death occurred while working as an employee in a dental office. A dentist shall report to the dental board all deaths occurring in their practice with a copy sent to the dental hygiene board if the death was the result of treatment by a registered dental hygienist, registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, or registered dental hygienist in extended functions.
(z)
Knowingly making a statement or signing a certificate or other document that falsely represents the existence or nonexistence of a fact directly or indirectly related to the practice of dental hygiene.

Legislative History

Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 491, Sec. 6. (SB 534) Effective January 1, 2022.