ARTICLE 4.
WEST VIRGINIA DENTAL PRACTICE ACT.
'30-4-1.
License required to practice.
In order to protect public health and safety,
any person practicing or offering to practice as a dentist or dental hygienist
must submit evidence that he or she is qualified to practice and is licensed as
provided in this article.
'30-4-2.
Short title.
This article shall be known and may be cited
as the AWest Virginia Dental Practice Act@.
'30-4-3.
Definitions.
As used in this article, the following words
and terms have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates
otherwise:
(1) AApproved dental hygiene program@ means a program that is approved by the board and is accredited or its
educational standards are deemed by the board to be substantially equivalent to
those required by the commission on dental accreditation of the American
dental association.
(2) AApproved dental school, college or dental department of a university@ means a dental school, college or dental
department of a university that is approved by the board and is accredited or
its educational standards are deemed by the board to be substantially
equivalent to those required by the commission on dental accreditation of the
American dental association.
(3) AAuthorize@ means
that the dentist is giving permission or approval to dental auxiliary personnel
to perform delegated procedures in accordance with the dentist=s diagnosis and treatment plan.
(4) ABoard@ means the West Virginia board of dental
examiners;
(5) ACertificate of qualification@ means a certificate authorizing a dentist to practice a specialty.
(6) ADelegated procedures@ means those procedures specified by law or by rule of the board and
performed by dental auxiliary personnel under the direct supervision of a
licensed dentist.
(7) ADental assistant@ means a person qualified by education, training and experience who
aids or assists a dentist in the delivery of patient care in accordance with
delegated procedures or who may perform nonclinical duties in the dental
office: Provided, That no
occupational title other than dental assistant shall be used to describe this
auxiliary.
(8) ADental auxiliary personnel@ or Aauxiliary@ means dental hygienists and dental assistants who assist the dentist
in the provision of oral health care services to patients.
(9) ADental hygienist@ means a person licensed by the board who provides preventative oral
health care services to patients in the dental office: Provided, That no occupational title
other than dental hygienist may be used to describe this auxiliary.
(10) ADental laboratory@ means a dental laboratory as defined in section one, article four-b of
this chapter.
(11) ADental office@ means
the place where the licensed dentist and dental auxiliary personnel are
practicing dentistry.
(12) ADental prosthesis@ means an artificial appliance fabricated to replace one or more teeth
or other oral or peri-oral structure in order to restore or alter function or
aesthetics.
(13) ADentist@ means an individual licensed by the board to
practice dentistry.
(14) ADentistry@ means
the evaluation, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases, disorders and
conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent and
associated structures provided by a dentist.
(15) ADirect supervision@ means supervision of dental auxiliary personnel provided by a licensed
dentist who is physically present in the dental office.
(16) AGood moral character@ means a lack of history of dishonesty.
(17) ALicense@ means a license to practice dentistry or
dental hygiene.
(18) ALicensee@ means a person holding a license.
(19) ASpecialty@ means
the practice of a certain branch of dentistry.
'30-4-4.
Board of dental examiners.
(a) The AWest Virginia Board of Dental Examiners@ is hereby continued. The
members of the board in office on the date this section takes effect shall,
unless sooner removed, continue to serve until their respective terms expire
and until their successors have been appointed and qualified.
(b)(1) Commencing with the board terms
beginning the first day of July, two thousand one, the board shall consist of
nine members appointed for terms of five years by the governor with the advice
and consent of the Senate. Six members
must be licensed dentists, one member must be a licensed dental hygienist, one
member must be a nationally certified dental assistant and one member must be a
citizen member who is not licensed under the provisions of this article and who
is not a dental assistant or a person who performs any services related to the
practice of dentistry.
(2) Each licensed or certified member of the
board, at the time of his or her appointment, must have held a license in this
state or have been nationally certified for a period of not less than five
years immediately preceding the appointment and each member must be a resident
of this state during the appointment term.
(3) No person connected with a commercial
entity that may derive financial gain from the profession of dentistry and no
person connected with a dental college, school or dental department of a university
is eligible for appointment to the board.
(4) Each appointment of a licensed dentist,
whether for a full term or to fill a vacancy, shall be made by the governor
from among three nominees selected by the West Virginia dental association;
each appointment of a licensed dental hygienist, whether for a full term or to
fill a vacancy, shall be made by the governor from among three nominees
selected by the West Virginia dental hygienists= association; and each appointment of a dental assistant, whether for a
full term or to fill a vacancy, shall be made by the governor from among three
nominees selected by the West Virginia dental assistants= association. If the appointment is for a full term, the nominations must be
submitted to the governor not later than eight months prior to the date on
which the appointment becomes effective.
If the appointment is to fill a vacancy, the nominations must be
submitted to the governor within thirty days after a request for the
nominations have been made by the governor to the president of the West
Virginia dental association, president of the West Virginia dental hygienists= association or president of the West
Virginia dental assistants= association. If the
association fails to submit to the governor nominations for an appointment in
accordance with the requirements of this section, the governor may make the
appointment without the nominations.
(c) No member may serve more than two
consecutive full terms and any member having served two full terms may not be
appointed for one year after completion of his or her second full term. A member shall continue to serve until his
or her successor has been appointed and qualified.
(d) The governor may remove any member from
the board for neglect of duty, incompetency or official misconduct.
(e) Any member of the board immediately and
automatically forfeits his or her membership if he or she has his or her
license to practice dentistry or dental hygiene suspended or revoked by the
board, is convicted of a felony under the laws of any state or the United
States or becomes a nonresident of this state.
(f) Each member of the board shall receive
compensation and expense reimbursement in accordance with section eleven,
article one of this chapter.
'30-4-5.
Powers of the board.
The board has all the powers set forth in
article one of this chapter and in addition may:
(1) Sue and be sued in its official name as
an agency of this state;
(2) Hire, fix the compensation of and
discharge the employees necessary to enforce the provisions of this article;
(3) Examine and determine the qualifications
of any applicant for a license;
(4) Examine and determine the qualifications
of any applicant for a certificate of qualification;
(5) Issue, renew, deny, suspend, revoke or
reinstate licenses and discipline licensees;
(6) Issue, renew, deny, suspend, revoke or
reinstate certificates of qualification and discipline holders of a certificate
of qualification;
(7) Investigate alleged violations of the
provisions of this article and article four-b of this chapter, reasonable
regulations promulgated hereunder and orders and final decisions of the board;
(8) Conduct hearings upon charges calling for
discipline of a licensee or revocation or suspension of a license;
(9) Propose rules in accordance with the provisions
of article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code to implement the
provisions of this article; and
(10) Take all other actions necessary and
proper to effectuate the purposes of this article.
'30-4-6.
Rule-making authority.
(a) The board shall propose rules for
legislative approval in accordance with the provisions of article three,
chapter twenty‑nine-a of this code to implement the provisions of this
article including, but not limited to, the following:
(1) The examinations administered under this
article;
(2) Issuing and renewing a license;
(3) Issuing temporary permits, teaching
permits and dental intern or resident permits;
(4) Specialities that a dentist may practice;
(5) Issuing and renewing a certificate of
qualification;
(6) Denying, suspending, revoking,
reinstating or limiting the practice of a licensee or certificate of
qualification;
(7) Continuing education requirements for
licensees;
(8) Delegated procedures to be performed by a
dental hygienist;
(9) Delegated procedures to be performed by a
dental assistant;
(10) Use of firm or trade names;
(11) Dental corporations; and
(12) Professional conduct requirements.
(b) All rules in effect on the effective date
of this article shall remain in effect until they are withdrawn, revoked or amended.
'30-4-7. Fees; special revenue
account; administrative fines.
(a) All fees and other moneys, except
administrative fines, received by the board shall be deposited in a separate
special revenue fund in the state treasury and be used for the administration
of this article. Except as may be
provided in section eleven, article one of this chapter, the board shall retain
the amounts in the special revenue account from year to year. No compensation or expense incurred under
this article is a charge against the general revenue fund.
(b) Any amounts received as administrative
fines imposed pursuant to this article shall be deposited into the general
revenue fund of the state treasury.
'30-4-8.
License requirements; dentists.
(a) The board shall issue a license to
practice dentistry to an applicant who meets the following requirements:
(1) Is at least eighteen years of age;
(2) Is of good moral character;
(3) Is a graduate of and has a diploma from
an approved dental college, school or dental department of a university;
(4) Has passed an examination that tests the
applicant=s knowledge of subjects specified by the
board by rule: Provided, That
the board may recognize a certificate granted by the national board of dental
examiners in lieu of the examination or part of the examination that the board
requires;
(5) Has not been found guilty of cheating,
deception or fraud in the examination or any part of the application; and
(6) Has paid the application fee specified by
rule.
(b) A license to practice dentistry issued by
the board prior to the first day of February, two thousand one, shall for all
purposes be considered a license issued under this section: Provided,
That a person holding a license issued prior to the first day of February, two
thousand one, must renew the license pursuant to section twelve of this
article.
'30-4-9.
Dentist from another state; license to practice dentistry in this state.
The board may issue a
license to practice dentistry to an applicant of good moral character who holds
a valid license to practice dentistry from another state if the applicant
demonstrates that:
(1) He or she holds a
license to practice dentistry in another state which was granted after
completion of educational requirements substantially equivalent to those required
in this state;
(2) He or she holds a
license to practice dentistry in another state which was granted after passing,
in that or another state, an examination that is substantially equivalent to
the examination required in this state;
(3) He or she is not
currently being investigated by a disciplinary authority of another state, does
not have charges pending against his or her license to practice dentistry and
has never had a license to practice dentistry revoked;
(4) He or she has not
previously failed an examination for licensure as a dentist in this state; and
(5) He or she has
paid the application fee specified by rule.
'30-4-10. License requirements; dental
hygienist.
(a) The board shall
issue a dental hygienist license to an applicant who meets the following
requirements:
(1) Is at least
eighteen years of age;
(2) Is of good moral
character;
(3) Is a graduate
with a degree in dental hygiene from an approved dental hygiene program of a
college, school or dental department of a university;
(4) Has passed the
national board dental hygiene examination, a regional or state clinical
examination and a state law examination that tests the applicant=s knowledge of subjects specified by the
board by rule;
(5) Has not been
found guilty of cheating, deception or fraud in the examination or any part of
the application; and
(6) Has paid the
application fee specified by rule.
(b) A dental
hygienist license issued by the board prior to the first day of February, two
thousand one, shall for all purposes be considered a dental hygienist license
issued under this section: Provided, That a person holding a dental
hygienist license issued prior to the first day of February, two thousand one,
must renew the license pursuant to section twelve of this article.
'30-4-11.
Dental hygienist from another state; license to practice dental hygiene
in this state.
The board may issue a
dental hygiene license to an applicant who holds a valid dental hygiene license
from another state if the applicant demonstrates that:
(1) He or she holds a
dental hygiene license in another state which was granted after completion of
educational requirements substantially equivalent to those required in this
state;
(2) He or she holds a
dental hygiene license in another state which was granted after passing, in
that or another state, an examination that is substantially equivalent to the
examination required in this state;
(3) He or she is not
currently being investigated by a disciplinary authority of another state, does
not have charges pending against his or her dental hygiene license and has
never had a dental hygiene license revoked;
(4) He or she has not
previously failed an examination for licensure as a dental hygienist in this
state; and
(5) He or she has
paid the application fee specified by rule.
'30-4-12.
License renewal; conditions of renewal.
(a) The board shall
renew a license to practice dentistry or dental hygiene for a one-year period
after its issue in accordance with procedures specified by rule.
(b) The board shall
charge a fee for each renewal of a license to practice dentistry or dental
hygiene in amounts specified by rule.
(c) The board shall
require as a condition for the renewal of a license to practice dentistry or
dental hygiene that each dentist and dental hygienist participate in continuing
professional education in accordance with the requirements specified by rule.
'30-4-13.
Temporary permits; dental intern or resident permit; teaching permit;
dentist.
(a) The board shall
issue a temporary permit to practice dentistry to an applicant who:
(1) Has graduated
from an approved dental college, school or dental department of a university
with a degree in dentistry;
(2) Has been offered
employment under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist;
(3) Has not taken the
examination required to be granted a license to practice dentistry;
(4) Has paid the
application fee specified by rule; and
(5) Meets the other
qualifications specified by rule by the board.
(b) A temporary
permit to practice dentistry may not be renewed and expires on the earlier of:
(1) The date the
dentist ceases to be under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist; or
(2) Sixty days after
the date that the first examination required by rule for a license to practice
dentistry is administered.
(c) The board shall
issue a dental intern or dental resident permit to an applicant who meets the
qualifications set forth in subdivisions one, three, four and five of
subsection (a) of this section and who has been accepted as a dental intern or
dental resident by a licensed hospital or dental school in this state which
maintains an established dental department under the supervision of a licensed
dentist.
(d) The dental intern
or dental resident permit may not be renewed and expires on the earlier of:
(1) The date the permit
holder ceases to be a dental intern or dental resident; or
(2) One year after
the date of issue.
(e) The board shall
issue a teaching permit to an applicant who meets the qualifications set forth
in subdivisions one, three, four and five, subsection (a) of this section and
who has been certified by the dean of a dental school located in this state to
be a member of the teaching staff of the dental school.
(f) A teaching permit
is valid for one year from the date of issue and may be renewed.
(g) While in effect,
a temporary permit to practice dentistry, a permit to practice as a dental
intern or dental resident and a teaching permit are subject to the restrictions
and requirements imposed by this article.
In addition, the holder of a permit to practice as a dental intern or
dental resident may not receive any fee for service other than a salary paid by
the hospital or dental school and the holder of a teaching permit may only
practice dentistry within the facilities of the dental school.
'30-4-14.
Temporary permits; teaching
permit; dental hygienist.
(a) The board may
issue a temporary permit to practice dental hygiene to an applicant who:
(1) Has graduated
from an approved dental hygiene program of a college, school or dental
department of a university with a degree in dental hygiene;
(2) Has been offered
employment as a dental hygienist;
(3) Has not taken the
examination required to be granted a dental hygiene license;
(4) Has paid the
application fee specified by rule; and
(5) Meets the other
qualifications specified by rule by the board.
(b) A temporary
permit to practice dental hygiene shall not be renewed and expires on the
earlier of:
(1) The date the
dental hygienist ceases to be employed; or
(2) Sixty days after
the date that the first dental hygiene examination required by rule for a
dental hygiene license is administered.
(c) The board may
issue a teaching permit to an applicant who meets the qualifications set forth
in subdivisions one, three, four and five, subsection (a) of this section and
who has been certified by the dean of a dental school located in this state to
be a member of the teaching staff of the dental school.
(d) A teaching permit
is valid for one year from the date of issue and may be renewed.
(e) While in effect,
a temporary permit to practice dental hygiene and a teaching permit are subject
to the restrictions and requirements imposed by this article. In addition, the holder of a teaching permit
may only practice dental hygiene within the facilities of the dental school.
'30-4-15.
Scope of practice; dentist.
The practice of
dentistry includes the following:
(1) Coordinating
dental services to meet the oral health needs of the patient;
(2) Examining,
evaluating and diagnosing diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral cavity,
maxillofacial area and adjacent and associated structures;
(3) Treating
diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and
the adjacent and associated structures;
(4) Providing
services to prevent diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral cavity,
maxillofacial area and the adjacent and associated structures;
(5) Fabricating,
repairing or altering a dental prosthesis;
(6) Administering
general anesthesia and parenteral conscious sedation in accordance with the
provisions of article four-a of this chapter;
(7) Prescribing drugs
necessary for the practice of dentistry;
(8) Executing and
signing a death certificate when it is required in the practice of dentistry;
(9) Employing and
supervising dental auxiliary personnel;
(10) Authorizing
delegated procedures to be performed by dental auxiliary personnel; and
(11) Performing any
other work included in the curriculum of an approved dental school, college or
dental department of a university.
'30-4-16.
Specialties; dentist.
(a) The board shall
by rule define specialties in which a dentist may practice.
(b) A dentist may not
represent to the public that he or she is a specialist in any branch of
dentistry or limit his or her practice to any branch of dentistry unless first
issued a certificate of qualification in that branch of dentistry by the board.
(c) The board shall
by rule establish the qualifications and examination requirements for a dentist
who desires to practice a specialty.
(1) The board may
appoint not more than three specialists to examine the credentials of
applicants for a certificate of qualification and each appointed specialist
shall be paid a fee set by rule by the board.
(2) The board may
appoint not more than three specialists to administer and grade the examination
given to applicants for a certificate of qualification and each appointed
specialist shall be paid a fee set by rule by the board.
(d) The board shall
by rule establish the application procedure and fee for issuance of a
certificate of qualification.
'30-4-17.
Scope of practice; dental
hygienist.
The practice of
dental hygiene includes the following:
(1) Performing a
complete prophylaxis, including the removal of any deposit, accretion or stain
from the surface of a tooth or a restoration;
(2) Applying a
medicinal agent to a tooth for a prophylactic purpose;
(3) Taking a dental
X-ray;
(4) Instructing a
patient on proper oral hygiene practice;
(5) Performing all
delegated procedure of a dental hygienist specified by rule by the board; and
(6) Performing all
delegated procedures of a dental assistant specified by rule by the board.
'30-4-18.
Scope of practice; dental
assistant.
A dental assistant
may perform only those delegated procedures specified by rule by the board.
'30-4-19.
Notification; changing dental office; adding dental office.
(a) Every licensed
dentist within thirty days of changing his or her place of practice or
establishing a practice at an additional dental office shall furnish the board
with the address of the new or additional dental office.
(b) Every licensed
dental hygienist within thirty days of changing his or her place of employment
or establishing employment at additional dental office shall furnish the board
with the name and address of the new or additional employers.
'30-4-20.
Refusal to issue or renew, suspension or revocation of license;
disciplinary action.
(a) The board
may refuse to issue, refuse to renew, suspend, revoke or limit any license or
practice privilege of a licensee and may take disciplinary action against a
licensee who, after hearing, has been adjudged by the board as unqualified for
any of the following reasons:
(1) The presentation
to the board of any diploma, license or certificate illegally or fraudulently
obtained, or one obtained from an institution which is not reputable, or one
obtained from an unrecognized or irregular institution or state board;
(2) Suspension or
revocation of a license issued by another state or territory on grounds which
would be the basis of discipline in this state;
(3) Incompetent,
negligent or willful misconduct in the practice of dentistry or dental hygiene,
which shall include the departure from, or the failure to conform to, the
minimal standards of acceptable and prevailing dental or dental hygiene
practice in their area of expertise as shall be determined by the board. The board need not establish actual injury
to the patient in order to adjudge a licensee guilty of this conduct;
(4) Engaging in
conduct that indicates a lack of knowledge of, an inability to apply or the
negligent application of principles or skills of dentistry or dental hygiene;
(5) Being guilty of
gross ignorance or gross inefficiency in his or her profession;
(6) Being convicted
of a felony; and a certified copy of the record of the court of conviction
shall be sufficient proof of conviction;
(7) Announcing or
otherwise holding himself or herself out to the public as a specialist or as
being specially qualified in any particular branch of dentistry or as
giving special attention to any branch of dentistry or as limiting his or her
practice to any branch of dentistry without first complying with the
requirements established by the board for the specialty and
having been issued a certificate of qualification in the specialty by the
board; or
(8) Being guilty of
unprofessional conduct as contained in the American dental association
principles of ethics and code of professional conduct. The following acts or any of them are
conclusively presumed to be unprofessional conduct:
(A) Being guilty of
any fraud or deception;
(B) Committing a
criminal operation or being convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude;
(C) Abusing alcohol
or drugs;
(D) Violating any
professional confidence or disclosing any professional secret;
(E) Being grossly
immoral;
(F) Employing what
are known as "cappers" or "steerers" to obtain business;
(G) Obtaining any fee
by fraud or misrepresentation;
(H) Employing
directly or indirectly, or directing or permitting any suspended or unlicenced
person so employed, to perform operations of any kind or to treat lesions of
the human teeth or jaws or correct malimposed formations thereof;
(I) Practicing, or
offering, or undertaking to practice dentistry under any firm name or trade
name not approved by the board;
(J) Having a
professional connection or association with, or lending his or her name to
another, for the illegal practice of dentistry, or professional connection or
association with any person, firm or corporation holding himself, themselves or
itself out in any manner contrary to this article;
(K) Making use of any
advertising relating to the use of any drug or medicine of unknown formula;
(L) Advertising to
practice dentistry or perform any operation thereunder without causing pain;
(M) Advertising
professional superiority or the performance of professional services in a
superior manner;
(N) Advertising to
guarantee any dental service;
(O) Advertising in
any manner that is false or misleading in any material respect;
(P) Soliciting
subscriptions from individuals within or without the state for, or advertising
or offering to individuals within or without the state, a course or instruction
or course materials in any phase, part or branch of dentistry or dental hygiene
in any journal, newspaper, magazine or dental publication, or by means of
radio, television or United States mail, or in or by any other means of
contacting individuals: Provided,
That the provisions of this paragraph may not be construed so as to
prohibit: (i) An individual dentist or
dental hygienist from presenting articles pertaining to procedures or technique
to state or national journals or accepted dental publications; or (ii)
educational institutions approved by the board from offering courses or
instruction or course materials to individual dentists and dental hygienists
from within or without the state; or
(Q) Engaging in any
action or conduct which would have warranted the denial of the
license.
(b) The term
advertising, as used in this section, shall be construed to include any type of
public media.
(c) Disciplinary
action includes, but is not limited to, a reprimand, censure, probation,
administrative fine not to exceed one thousand dollars per day per violation
and mandatory attendance at continuing professional education seminars.
(d) This
entire section is passed in the interest of the public health, safety and
welfare and its provisions must be liberally construed to carry out its object
and purpose.
'30-4-21.
Complaints; investigations.
(a) Upon receipt of a
written complaint filed against any dentist or dental hygienist, the board
shall provide a copy of the complaint to the dentist or dental hygienist.
(b) The board may
investigate the complaint. If the board
finds upon investigation that probable cause exists that the dentist or dental
hygienist has violated any provision of this article or the rules, the board
shall serve the dentist or dental hygienist with a written statement of charges
and a notice specifying the date, time and place of hearing. The hearing shall be held in accordance with
section twenty-two of this article.
'30-4-22.
Hearing and judicial review.
(a) A hearing on a
statement of charges shall be held in accordance with the provisions for
hearing set forth in section eight, article one of this chapter and procedures
specified by rule by the board by rule.
(b) Any dentist or
dental hygienist adversely affected by any decision of the board entered after
a hearing may obtain judicial review of the decision in accordance with section
four, article five, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code and may appeal any
ruling resulting from judicial review in accordance with article five, chapter
twenty-nine-a of this code.
'30-4-23.
Reinstatement.
Any dentist or dental
hygienist against whom disciplinary action has been taken under the provisions
of this article shall be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate the
qualifications to resume practice. The
application for reinstatement shall be in writing and subject to the procedures
specified by the board by rule.
'30-4-24.
Unlawful acts.
It is unlawful for
any person not licensed under the provisions of this article to practice
dentistry or dental hygiene in this state.
'30-4-25.
Injunctions.
When, as a result of
an investigation under section twenty-one of this article or otherwise, the
board or any other interested person believes that any person has engaged, is
engaging or is about to engage in the practice of dentistry or dental hygiene
without a license, the board or any other interested person may make
application to any court of competent jurisdiction for an order enjoining the
acts or practices and upon a showing that the person has engaged or is about to
engage in any act or practice, an injunction, restraining order or another
appropriate order may be granted by the court without bond.
'30-4-26.
Criminal proceedings; penalties.
(a) When, by reason
of an investigation under section twenty‑one of this article or
otherwise, the board has reason to believe that any person has knowingly
violated section twenty-four of this article, the board may bring its
information to the attention of the attorney general or other appropriate law‑enforcement
officer who may cause appropriate criminal proceedings to be brought.
(b) Any person who
knowingly violates any provision of section twenty-four of this article is
guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more
than two thousand five hundred dollars or confined in the county or regional
jail not more than one year, or both fined and imprisoned.
'30-4-27.
Single act evidence of practice.
In any action brought
under section twenty-five of this article or any proceeding initiated under
section twenty-six of this article, evidence of the commission of a single act
prohibited by this article is sufficient to justify a penalty, injunction,
restraining order or conviction without evidence of a general course of
conduct.
'30-4-28.
Dental corporations.
(a) All dental
corporations created prior to the first day of July, two thousand one, are
hereby continued.
(b) On or after the
first day of July, two thousand one, one or more dentists may organize and
become a shareholder or shareholders of a dental corporation domiciled within
this state under the terms and conditions and subject to the limitations and
restrictions specified by rule.
(c) No corporation
may practice dentistry, or any of its branches, or hold itself out as being
capable of doing so without a certificate of authorization from the board.
(d) When the
secretary of state receives a certificate of authorization to act as a dental
corporation from the board, he or she shall attach the authorization to the
corporation application and, upon compliance with the applicable provisions of
chapter thirty-one of this code, the secretary of state shall issue to the
incorporators a certificate of incorporation for the dental corporation.
(e) A corporation
holding a certificate of authorization must register annually, on or before the
thirtieth day of June, on a form prescribed by the board and pay an annual
registration fee in an amount specified by rule.
(f) A dental
corporation may practice dentistry only through an individual dentist or
dentists duly licensed to practice dentistry in this state, but the dentist or
dentists may be employees rather than shareholders of the corporation.
(g) A dental
corporation holding a certificate of authorization shall cease to engage in the
practice of dentistry upon being notified by the board that any of its
shareholders is no longer a duly licensed dentist or when any shares of the
corporation have been sold or disposed of to a person who is not a duly
licensed dentist: Provided, That
the personal representative of a deceased shareholder has a period, not to
exceed twelve months from the date of the shareholder=s death, to dispose of the shares; but
nothing contained herein may be construed as affecting the existence of the
corporation or its right to continue to operate for all lawful purposes other
than the practice of dentistry.
'30-4-29.
Inapplicability of article.
The provisions of
this article do not apply to:
(1) A duly licensed
physician or surgeon in the practice of his or her profession when rendering
dental relief in emergency cases, unless he or she undertakes to reproduce or
reproduces lost parts of the human teeth or to restore or replace lost or
missing teeth in the human mouth;
(2) A dental
laboratory in the performance of dental laboratory services as that term is
defined in section one, article four-b of this chapter while the dental
laboratory, in the performance of the work, conforms in all respects to the
requirements of article four-b and further does not apply to persons performing
dental laboratory services under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist
or under the direct supervision of a person authorized under this article to perform
any of the acts in this article defined to constitute the practice of dentistry
while the work is performed in connection with, and as a part of, the dental
practice of the licensed dentist or other authorized person and for his or her
dental patients;
(3) Students enrolled
in and regularly attending any dental college recognized by the state board of
dental examiners, provided their acts are done in the dental college and under
the direct and personal supervision of their instructor;
(4) Licensed or registered
dentists of another state temporarily operating a clinic under the auspices of
a duly organized and reputable dental college or reputable dental society, or
to one lecturing before a reputable society composed exclusively of dentists;
or
(5) The practice of
dentistry by dentists whose practice is confined exclusively to the service of
the United States army, the United States navy, the United States public health
service, the United States veteran=s bureau or any other authorized United States government agency or
bureau.
'30-4-30.
Termination date.
The board shall
terminate on the first day of July, two thousand three, pursuant to the
provisions of article ten, chapter four of this code.