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Austin, TX
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MEDICAL LICENSE DEFENSE

Austin Dental License Defense Lawyer

Trusted Dental License Defense Lawyer In Austin, TX

If you are facing a formal review, report, or claim against your dental license without help from an experienced Austin dental license defense lawyer, the consequences can be dire. You could potentially lose not only your career but also your practice. As medical professionals know all too well when engaging in high-profile jobs like dentistry, there is an inherent risk of false claims being made for various reasons—from simply misunderstanding to malicious intent.

The stress of defending yourself against the Texas Board of Dental Examiners can be overwhelming and detrimental to you, your loved ones, and your career. To protect yourself from the worry, enlist the help of our medical license defense attorney at ATX Legal. We understand how difficult this time can be on your personal and professional life. Contact our office today for a free consultation and learn more about how we can help you defend the license you worked so hard to achieve.

Understanding The Texas State Board Of Dental Examiners

The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners, or TSBDE for short, is the governing body responsible for supervising and regulating dentistry in Texas. This board consists of both dental professionals and members of the public. With a daily commitment to enforcement, courtesy of its lawyers, investigators, and administrative personnel; this organization strives to guarantee that all oral health practitioners abide by laws-including dentists, hygienists assistants & labs. To ensure the safety and well-being of the public, they enforce stringent regulations. Any grievances or issues regarding licensees are thoroughly examined and dealt with according to their enabling statutes and rules.

Reasons for Review from the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners

The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners can begin an immediate review in case someone has submitted a report that falls under the purview of the Dental Practice Act. Most dentists are comfortable with this act, trusting their ethical behavior will be enough to protect them from any scrutiny. What they might not know is that there are numerous general or umbrella terms defined within this legislation – including “arrests” and “charges”. In addition to these two examples, if allegations arise concerning:

  • Unprofessional conduct
  • Negligence
  • Non-therapeutic prescribing
  • Poorly kept charts and records
  • Unethical behavior
  • Chemical dependency
  • Charges, convictions, and arrests

In simplest terms, a dentist who is arrested for driving under the influence while not on duty and even those with pending charges but no conviction can be stripped of their license. Furthermore, dentists engaging in unethical behavior are risking their entire careers due to potential license revocation. Regrettably, many practitioners fail to recognize how easily they could lose it all. That’s why having an Austin dental license defense lawyer in your corner is so critical to retaining your license and getting back to what you do best.

Dental License Governing Body

The distinguished Texas State Board of Dental Examiners, or TSBDE (more commonly known as the Texas Dental Board), regulates dentistry across our great state. Both dental industry professionals and civilians make up this exclusive board. They are responsible for making sure that all those who work in oral health-related fields—such as dentists, hygienists, assistants, and lab technicians—are observing proper regulations.

Strict regulations are consistently applied by our internal attorneys, investigative team, and administrators to protect the public’s well-being. As outlined in its enabling statute and standards, any complaints concerning licensees are dissected by the agency and resolved accordingly.

Dental License Disciplinary Complaint Process

The process begins by filing a complaint, which can be done in several ways. Commonly, complaints are filed against licensed dentists and other dental professionals; these may come from:

  • Previous patients
  • Patients’ families
  • Insurance companies
  • Former and present workers
  • Law enforcement agencies

When evaluating the severity of a complaint, it’s given an appropriate priority ranking. In cases where the Dental Board believes that a licensed dentist poses an imminent danger to public health and safety, their procedure can be expedited swiftly.

Investigations Into Dental License Complaints

Should the licensee (or their lawyer) issue a response to the notice letter, it is likely that the complaint may be dismissed due to insufficient evidence. Nonetheless, if there are unresolved issues from the said answer, then further investigating will take place on behalf of the agency. The agency personnel during the investigation will usually require records, and case-related documents, and may also request to conduct a face-to-face or telephone interview. You should keep in mind that you have two to three weeks at most before submitting all of your paperwork. That’s why it is essential for any Texas dental licensee facing an investigation to seek legal representation from an Austin dental license defense lawyer specializing in license defense right away!

Expert attorneys are able to review the case documents and decide if they should be dismissed or proceed. The licensee will receive a notification from the court indicating that the case has been dropped unless it is scheduled for an Informal Settlement Conference or hearing.

Disciplinary Action After the Complaint and Hearing Process

Different justifications may be used to discipline a dentist, whether it’s for one or many reasons. Examples of professional misconduct include:

  • Criminal convictions
  • Transgressions of patient boundaries
  • Billing fraud
  • Breaches of confidentiality standards
  • Poor care
  • Rule violations
  • Unlawful advertising

The Dental Board will take necessary disciplinary action against the licensee if it finds that a violation of the TSBDE Rules and Regulations has occurred. Per Texas Occupation Code §263.002 (a), potential punitive measures may include:

  • License suspension or revocation
  • Probation with conditions
  • A warning letter
  • Fines
  • An administrative penalty

The Board can impose administrative penalties for smaller violations of the TSBDE Rules and Regulations. For more serious infractions, however, a licensee should expect to face harsh repercussions from the Board.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are The Defenses To Allegations Against Your Dental License?

The state board is accountable for licensing qualified dentists and upholding a stringent code of conduct amongst all practicing professionals. If an act that violates the high standard of care is suspected against any dentist, investigations may be launched with possible penalties ensuing. Unfortunately, there have been cases where allegations are made without sufficient proof – resulting in unjustified proceedings being initiated prematurely by the board against innocent practitioners.

Are you a dentist worried about being falsely penalized for a licensing violation? Don’t worry, as legal action is at your fingertips to protect yourself from the threat of unjust punishment due to tenuous evidence. Our Austin dental license defense attorney is experienced in these matters and can aid you with:

  • Fielding all communications between you and the licensing board
  • Gathering evidence to support your case
  • Scrutinizing the validity and legality of evidence or testimony brought against you
  • Negotiating less severe penalties or having penalties dropped
  • Negotiating alternatives to license suspension or revocation
What Happens After A Complaint Is Filed Against My Dental License In Texas?

The Texas Board of Dental Examiners exercises authority over dental practitioners and hygienists in the state. If a complaint is submitted by someone in the public, the Board may issue notice to any dentists or hygienists charged – giving them a small time frame to respond. However, if necessary, they can request extra time with the Board’s permission. In order for licensees to secure their best interests, it is highly recommended that an Austin dental license defense lawyer should be consulted throughout this process for guidance on constructing their response.

Should the Board find misconduct on behalf of the licensee, it will arrange for a disciplinary hearing to take place. The individual in question must be notified at least ten days before that date. It is important to note that the Board may immediately revoke any prescribing privileges involving Schedule II, III, and IV drugs until terminating if they think this could jeopardize public safety or well-being.

Contact Our Austin Dental License Defense Lawyer Today

Our experienced Austin dental license defense lawyer has extensive experience navigating through complex cases with the Texas Board of Dental Examiners. If you are a licensee who is dealing with an open investigation from the Texas Dental Board and would like to learn more about how we can support you, contact us today for a free consultation. ATX Legal will fight for your right to continue to practice in your field.

Questions? We Can Help

Questions? We Can Help

ATX Legal is available 24/7. Contact us now for help regarding your case.
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