5 Ways Hiring Practices Can Jeopardize Your Dental License

 Posted on October 23, 2024 in Dentist License Defense

Managing a successful dental practice is a complex operation. Ordering supplies, billing, scheduling, and patient care are all day-to-day tasks that require attention to detail. Another part of the operation is the hiring and managing of staff. While that may seem standard to any business, dentists must take special care to comply with certain laws and regulations for hiring and supervising employees. When dentists focus only on following legal requirements for patient care but are not cautious in their hiring practices, it can expose their licenses to disciplinary action.

This article will discuss five ways hiring and supervision practices can jeopardize your dental license in Illinois. To protect your license against legal threats, consult an experienced Illinois dental license defense attorney.

Supervising Too Many Dental Staff

Dentists usually need to hire staff like dental assistants and hygienists, but supervising too many at one time can stretch them too thin. Under the Illinois Dental Practice Act, a dentist may not supervise more than four dental hygienists at once. Supervision does not require the dentist to be in the room during the entire procedure, but it does mean he or she must:

• Authorize the procedure
• Stay in the dental office
• Approve the hygienist’s work before dismissing the patient

If a dentist supervises more than four dental hygienists at the same time, it increases the likelihood of mistakes and oversight.

Allowing Unauthorized Procedures

Dental staff are only authorized to carry out certain tasks. A dental hygienist, for example, may perform teeth cleanings and dental health assessments. A dental assistant may assist with procedures and handle administrative work. Allowing staff to perform tasks that are outside the scope of their responsibilities or without your authorization can place your dental license in jeopardy.

Failing to Properly Train Staff

Failing to provide staff with adequate training can also put your dental license at risk. If an employee applies the wrong treatment to a patient, for example, you may be held responsible for neglecting to properly train that employee. Similarly, failing to provide the right training can lead to other serious missteps like improper sterilization. Maintaining a sterile environment at all times is required by law.

Failing to Screen Employees

An important part of the hiring process is conducting background checks on prospective employees. Failure to do so can threaten your license if an employee with a criminal background causes harm or engages in misconduct. If you hire an employee with a history of drug abuse, for example, and he or she harms a patient while under the influence of narcotics, it may trigger an investigation into your business.

Violating Employment Law

Any accusations of illegal activity on your part can lead to disciplinary proceedings against your license. This includes employment law violations, such as failure to abide by minimum wage, overtime pay, and related laws.

Contact an Illinois Dental License Defense Attorney

If you are suspected of misconduct or violating the Illinois Dental Practice Act, you may be placed under investigation by the Illinois Board of Dentistry, which is part of the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR). The IDFPR is the state regulator for medical professions and has the power to suspend or revoke your license, among other disciplinary actions.

If you have been accused of any violations, contact The Law Offices of Joseph J. Bogdan, Inc.. We understand the compliance challenges for dental practices and we are ready to defend your license with a personalized legal strategy. Schedule a free consultation with an Illinois dental license defense lawyer by calling 630-310-1267 now.