G ove r n men t Re lat ions
New Law Takes Effect in PA:
Reporting to the State Board
of Dentistry
In February, Governor Wolf signed SB 354,
now Act 6 of 2018, into law, putting in
effect new requirements for licensees
(including dentists and dental hygienists) of
all boards within the Bureau of Professional
and Occupational Affairs (BPOA).
Act 6 requires all licensees to report, in
writing, the following disciplinary actions
to the appropriate licensing board within
30 days:
• Actions taken by a licensing agency in
another state
• A finding or verdict of guilt, an admission
of guilt, a plea of nolo contendere,
probation without verdict, a disposition
in lieu of trial or an Accelerated
Rehabilitative Disposition of any felony or
misdemeanor offense (excluding drug
or alcohol-related summary offenses)
Licensing boards may pursue disciplinary
action with licensees for failure to report.
Act 6 also allows licensing boards the ability
to temporarily suspend licenses if they
determine a licensee poses an immediate
and clear danger to the public’s health,
safety and welfare. In these cases, boards
must provide a written statement of all
allegations against the licensee and take
formal action to suspend, revoke or restrict
the license. A preliminary hearing must
take place within 30 days in order to
determine if there is enough evidence to
warrant the suspension. The temporary
suspension will be lifted immediately if
deemed unwarranted.
Act 6 directs the BPOA Commissioner to
consider a licensee’s request to expunge
disciplinary records if the discipline was
for a violation involving failure to complete
continuing education requirements or
practicing for six months or less on a lapsed
license. The following criteria apply:
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MAY/JU NE 2018 | P EN N S YLVA N IA D EN TA L J O UR N A L