Losing your career, and your practice is the risk of defending your dental license without help from Houston dental license defense attorneys. It is scary facing formal reviews, reports, or claims against your ability to work as a dentist. Medical professionals are aware of the risk that comes with working in high profile jobs.
But many people make false claims for one reason or another. In some cases, the claim comes from a simple misunderstanding.
If you are going up against the review board, you need a Houston professional license defense attorney to fight for you. The stress of handling a formal review can take a huge toll on you and your family.
Get proper help from a Houston dental license defense attorney. Eddington and Worley have lawyers dedicated to working on dental license defense. Call us today to speak to an experienced attorney, risk-free.
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Reasons for Review from the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners
You could come under review if anyone has filed a report with the board for anything that falls under the Dental Practice Act. Many dentists are generally familiar with the act, but often know that if they behave ethically, they have little to worry about.
Many dentists don’t realize that there are many general or umbrella terms in the Dental Practice Act. This act, often called the DPA, includes “arrests” and “charges.”
The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners can take action right away for claims of:
- Unprofessional conduct
- Negligence
- Non-therapeutic prescribing
- Poorly kept charts and records
- Unethical behavior
- Chemical dependency
- Charges, convictions, and arrests
To make it plain, a dentist arrested for Driving Under the Influence while not on duty, can lose their license. A dentist with charges against them, without conviction, can lose their license.
Dentists who have a claim against them for any form of unethical behavior are at risk of losing their license and career. Many dentists don’t realize how quickly they could lose everything.
Possible Penalties
A dentist could go through a period of probation or suspension. But the bigger concern is that the board will revoke the license completely. It is so vital to have one of our Houston dental license defense attorneys representing you during this phase.
If you are up against criminal charges, your legal counsel can show the progress on that front. A lawyer can also help you prove that the incident if confirmed, was a one-time event.
Many dentists lose their license over things like poorly managed reports. Reports, charts and other sensitive documents often have confusing laws that go with them. Working with a lawyer, you can try to show that you simply made a mistake. Showing that systems are now in place to prevent the problem from happening again is a good first step.
Right to Counsel
As with most professional boards, the initial feeling is that the board offers protection. They do, they protect the claimant. The person making a claim against you is who the board will protect first.
You have the right to counsel at every step. Your first notice for review will likely come through the mail. That means that the review was started before you even knew about the claim. This is the time to contact one of our Houston dental license defense attorneys.
As the board reviews the report, they might reach out to you for an interview. If you have legal counsel, you do not need to speak with them directly.
But because most dentists think that the board will protect them, they don’t get a lawyer. When you receive notice of the review, hire a Houston dental license defense attorney immediately.
After receiving notice, the investigation will take place in the background. In fact, you may not even notice that anything is out of the ordinary. After an investigation, the board will decide on one of three options.
These options include:
- No violation – case closed
- Violation – case goes to the Informal Settlement Conference phase
- Violation – case goes to an Administrative Hearing
What happens depends on the evidence found in the investigation. You need a lawyer to take a proactive and assertive approach to the review process. Only a lawyer can get involved and create a defense for your license.
If your case goes to the Informal Settlement Conference phase, it’s likely that they believe there were violations. With the proper defense, you can try to show that these findings were incorrect or inaccurate.
If your case goes to an Administrative Hearing, then it’s likely you are about to lose your license. An Administrative Hearing is the penalty phase.
When You Just Need Help
One of the more common reasons that medical professionals lose their licenses is from drug use. Access to prescription medication and the high ethical standards sets up a disaster.
Any suspicion that a dentist or doctor is using drugs or alcohol in excess can lead to them losing their license. The bigger issue is actually that you need help. Often a DUI or other crime associated with drugs and alcohol will lead to a license review.
If you need help, this is the best time to get it. You can work with legal counsel to show that a rehabilitation program or something similar is better than revoking your license. There are times when the professional community should consider all factors at play. The improper use of drugs or alcohol is one of those times.
The Board of Dental Examiners does take a serious and preventative approach to support. Dentist that experience addiction can work with the Texas Professional Recovery Network.
Contact a Dental License Defense Lawyer
You can get help from an experienced and knowledgeable lawyer from Eddington and Worley right now. Our Houston dental license defense attorneys can help you learn more about your situation and what might be in your future.
Discuss your case at length now. Eddington and Worley can assign you a lawyer with experience in handling dental license defense. They will work closely with you throughout the entire process.
Don’t take the risk of losing your career, and everything else because of an honest mistake or false claim. Call Now and do everything you can to hold onto your license.
A lawyer should be able to notify you of the progress of the review, details of the claim and more. Without legal counsel, you are often left in the dark until the Board makes a decision that will impact your entire life. Don’t try to go through this alone, Contact Eddington & Worley today and defend your livelihood.