Dental practice owners must handle many different aspects of running a business while providing their patients with excellent dental care. An important part of managing a dental practice is to ensure your dental license and those of your employees are valid in the state in which you’re practicing. You’ll also need to ensure you and your employee’s licenses are renewed on time. By avoiding some common pitfalls in the dental practice licensing process, you can provide a sense of reassurance and help your dental practice thrive.
Failure to Renew a Dental License
Obtaining your dental license for the first time is a years-long process. After finishing dental school and passing your boards, you will need to submit an application, pay the fees, and include supporting documentation proving you have met all of the requirements. Every state has its own requirements for renewing dental and dental assistant licenses.
Most states require renewal every two years. Forgetting to renew your license can result in fines, suspension, and even criminal charges in some states. Setting reminders for yourself and your employees and following through on the renewal process can help avoid this licensing pitfall.
Failure to Maintain State-Specific Licensing Requirements
Perhaps you are considering moving to another state, but you aren’t licensed in that state. Before you begin practicing in another state, you will need to obtain a license or permit by following that state’s procedures. If you have questions, you can review this date board of dentistry.
Additionally, hiring an attorney to manage your licensing compliance can be effective if you are considering opening a dental practice in another state or practicing in multiple states. Every state has its own requirements. You may have already met the requirements for continuing education in one state, but another state may require additional hours, for example. Working with an attorney who has an in-depth knowledge of licensing requirements in multiple states can save you significant time and money.
Inadequate Record-Keeping or Overbilling Patients
When patients file complaints against a dentist through the State Board, the State Board will investigate the incident. If they find that the dentist or dental assistant has violated dental practice regulations, they may impose fines and suspend the dentist’s license, and the dentist could face criminal charges. One of the best ways to avoid complaints involves keeping thorough records and carefully managing patient accounts.
This includes training your staff members to write down important information, including any variances and treatment, and thoroughly examine each patient’s medical history. Make sure your staff carefully records all of the procedures that have been done and get informed consent from patients before beginning procedures. Keeping careful records and accurately billing clients can help you avoid some of the most common causes of state board complaints.
As a dental practice owner, you should train your staff members to write down important information, including any variances and treatment, and thoroughly examine each patient’s medical history. Make sure your staff carefully records all of the procedures that have been done and get informed consent from patients before beginning procedures. Keeping careful records and accurately billing clients can help you avoid some of the most common causes of state board complaints.
Contact a Dental Practice Licensing Attorney Today
Avoiding these common pitfalls can help you maintain and renew your dental license without added difficulties. Hiring an attorney with experience in dental practice licensing can save you significant time and money. If you have questions about dental practice licensing or you are facing a complaint, don’t hesitate to contact Mahan Dental to schedule a complimentary, no-obligation case evaluation.
