(1) The board may
take disciplinary action against an applicant or licensee in accordance with sections
12-20-404 and 12-220-202 for any of the following causes:
(a) Engaging in fraud, misrepresentation, or deception in applying for,
securing, renewing, or seeking reinstatement of a license to practice dentistry,
dental therapy, or dental hygiene in this state, in applying for professional liability
coverage required pursuant to section 12-220-307, or in taking the examinations
provided for in this article 220;
(b) Conviction of a felony or any crime that constitutes a violation of this
article 220. For purposes of this subsection (1)(b), conviction includes the entry of
a plea of guilty or nolo contendere or a deferred sentence.
(c) Administering, dispensing, or prescribing a habit-forming drug or
controlled substance, as defined in section 18-18-102 (5), to a person, including the
applicant or licensee, other than in the course of legitimate professional practice;
(d) Conviction of a violation of a federal or state law regulating the
possession, distribution, or use of a controlled substance, as defined in section 18-18-102 (5), and, in determining if a license should be denied, revoked, or suspended
or if the licensee should be placed on probation, the board is governed by sections
12-20-202 (5) and 24-5-101;
(e) Habitually abusing or excessively using alcohol, a habit-forming drug, or
a controlled substance, as defined in section 18-18-102 (5);
(f) Misusing a drug or controlled substance, as defined in section 18-18-102
(5);
(g) Aiding or abetting, in the practice of dentistry, dental therapy, or dental
hygiene, a person who is not licensed to practice dentistry, dental therapy, or dental
hygiene under this article 220 or whose license to practice dentistry, dental
therapy, or dental hygiene is suspended;
(h) Except as otherwise provided in sections 12-220-304, 12-220-503 (4), and
25-3-103.7, practicing dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene as a partner,
agent, or employee of or in joint venture with any person who does not hold a
license to practice dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene within this state or
practicing dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene as an employee of or in joint
venture with any partnership, association, or corporation. A licensee holding a
license to practice dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene in this state may
accept employment from any person, partnership, association, or corporation to
examine, prescribe, and treat the employees of the person, partnership, association,
or corporation.
(i) Violating or attempting to violate, directly or indirectly, assisting in or
abetting the violation of, or conspiring to violate any provision or term of this article
220, an applicable provision of article 20 or 30 of this title 12, or any lawful rule or
order of the board;
(j) (I) Failing to notify the board, as required by section 12-30-108 (1), of a
physical illness, physical condition, or behavioral health, mental health, or
substance use disorder that renders the licensee unable, or limits the licensee's
ability, to perform dental, dental therapy, or dental hygiene services with
reasonable skill and with safety to the patient;
(II) Failing to act within the limitations created by a physical illness, physical
condition, or behavioral health, mental health, or substance use disorder that
renders the licensee unable to perform dental, dental therapy, or dental hygiene
services with reasonable skill and safety or that may endanger the health or safety
of persons under the licensee's care; or
(III) Failing to comply with the limitations agreed to under a confidential
agreement entered pursuant to sections 12-30-108 and 12-220-207;
(k) Committing an act or omission that constitutes grossly negligent dental,
dental therapy, or dental hygiene practice or that fails to meet generally accepted
standards of dental, dental therapy, or dental hygiene practice;
(l) Advertising in a manner that is misleading, deceptive, or false;
(m) Engaging in a sexual act with a patient during the course of patient care
or within six months immediately following the termination of the licensee's
professional relationship with the patient. Sexual act, as used in this subsection
(1)(m), means sexual contact, sexual intrusion, or sexual penetration as defined in
section 18-3-401.
(n) Refusing to make patient records available to a patient, patient
representative, or previous or current treatment provider within seven calendar
days after a written request pursuant to a written authorization request under
section 25-1-802;
(o) False billing in the delivery of dental, dental therapy, or dental hygiene
services, including performing one service and billing for another, billing for any
service not rendered, or committing a fraudulent insurance act, as defined in
section 10-1-128;
(p) Committing abuse of health insurance in violation of section 18-13-119;
(q) Failing to notify the board, in writing and within ninety days after a
judgment is entered, of a final judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction in
favor of any party and against the licensee involving negligent malpractice of
dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene, which notice must contain the name of
the court, the case number, and the names of all parties to the action;
(r) Failing to report a dental, dental therapy, or dental hygiene malpractice
judgment or malpractice settlement to the board by the licensee within ninety days;
(s) Failing to furnish unlicensed persons with dental laboratory work orders
pursuant to section 12-220-502;
(t) Employing a solicitor or other agent to obtain patronage, except as
provided in section 12-220-309;
(u) Willfully deceiving or attempting to deceive the board or its agents with
reference to any matter relating to this article 220;
(v) Sharing any professional fees with anyone except those with whom the
dentist, dental therapist, or dental hygienist is lawfully associated in the practice of
dentistry, dental therapy, or dental hygiene; except that:
(I) A licensed dentist or dental hygienist may pay an independent advertising
or marketing agent compensation for advertising or marketing services rendered by
the agent for the benefit of the licensed dentist or dental hygienist, including
compensation that is based on the results or performance of the services on a per-patient basis; and
(II) Nothing in this section prohibits a dentist, dental therapist, or dental
hygienist practice owned or operated by a proprietor authorized under section 12-220-303 from contracting with any person or entity for business management
services or paying a royalty in accordance with a franchise agreement if the terms
of the contract or franchise agreement do not affect the exercise of the
independent professional judgment of the dentist, dental therapist, or dental
hygienist.
(w) Failing to provide reasonably necessary referral of a patient to other
licensed dentists or licensed health-care professionals for consultation or
treatment when the failure to provide referral does not meet generally accepted
standards of dental care;
(x) Failure of a dental therapist or dental hygienist to recommend that a
patient be examined by a dentist or to refer a patient to a dentist when the dental
therapist or dental hygienist detects a condition that requires care beyond the
scope of practicing dental therapy or supervised or unsupervised dental hygiene;
(y) Engaging in any of the following activities and practices:
(I) Willfully and repeatedly ordering or performing, without clinical
justification, demonstrably unnecessary laboratory tests or studies;
(II) Administering, without clinical justification, treatment that is
demonstrably unnecessary;
(III) In addition to the provisions of subsection (1)(x) of this section, failing to
obtain consultations or perform referrals when failing to do so is not consistent with
the standard of care for the profession;
(IV) Ordering or performing, without clinical justification, any service, X ray,
or treatment that is contrary to recognized standards of the practice of dentistry,
dental therapy, or dental hygiene, as interpreted by the board;
(z) Falsifying or repeatedly making incorrect essential entries or repeatedly
failing to make essential entries on patient records;
(aa) Violating section 8-42-101 (3.6);
(bb) Violating section 12-220-602 or any rule of the board adopted pursuant
to that section;
(cc) Administering local anesthesia, minimal sedation, moderate sedation, or
deep sedation/general anesthesia without obtaining a permit from the board in
accordance with section 12-220-411;
(dd) Failing to report to the board, within ninety days after final disposition,
the surrender of a license to, or adverse action taken against a license by, a
licensing agency in another state, territory, or country, a governmental agency, a
law enforcement agency, or a court for an act or conduct that would constitute
grounds for discipline pursuant to this article 220;
(ee) Failing to provide adequate or proper supervision of unlicensed persons
in dental, dental therapy, or dental hygiene practice;
(ff) Engaging in any conduct that constitutes a crime as defined in title 18,
which conduct relates to the licensee's practice as a dentist, dental therapist, or
dental hygienist;
(gg) Practicing outside the scope of dental, dental therapy, or dental hygiene
practice;
(hh) Failing to establish and continuously maintain financial responsibility or
professional liability insurance as required by section 12-220-307;
(ii) Advertising or otherwise holding oneself out to the public as practicing a
dental specialty in which the dentist has not successfully completed the education
specified for the dental specialty as defined by the National Commission on
Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards or the United States
department of education;
(jj) Failing to respond in an honest, materially responsive, and timely manner
to a complaint filed against the licensee pursuant to this article 220;
(kk) Committing an act or omission that fails to meet generally accepted
standards for infection control;
(ll) Administering moderate sedation or deep sedation/general anesthesia
without a licensed dentist or other licensed health-care professional qualified to
administer the relevant level of sedation or anesthesia present in the operatory;
(mm) Failing to complete and maintain records of completing continuing
education as required by section 12-220-308;
(nn) Failing to comply with section 12-220-505 regarding the placement of
interim therapeutic restorations;
(oo) Failing to comply with section 12-220-503 (1)(g) and rules adopted
pursuant to that section regarding the application of silver diamine fluoride;
(pp) Failing to accurately complete and submit the questionnaire required by
section 12-220-408 (2);
(qq) Practicing outside the scope of an articulated plan developed in
accordance with section 12-220-503 (1)(g)(V) or 12-220-508 (1)(b), (1)(c)(VII), or (2);
or
(rr) The failure of the provider performing itinerant surgery to provide
necessary follow-up care, including the failure to provide a post-procedure care
plan outlining follow-up care in a facility or to be performed by a licensed surgical
specialist who is located within a reasonable distance from the office where the
initial care was provided if the original itinerant care provider is unavailable to
provide the necessary follow-up care. The post-procedure care plan shall not
identify an urgent care center or a hospital emergency department as the provider
or the treatment facility for follow-up care.