PAGD Keystone Explorer Summer 2020

18 www.pagd.org \ advocacy Report of Prosecutorial Division As many of the prosecutorial cases involved recusals, which difficult to achieve on a web conference, prosecutions were reported at different points in the meeting. » The first case involved a patient treated for periodontal disease from April 2014 to July 2016. Experts cited inadequate record keeping, no chart updates, and an overall poor standard of care that led to several avoidable extractions. The practitioner was assessed $4,500 in civil penalties, $2,000 in costs, and required to fulfill ten extra hours of continuing education. The age of the case and inability to contact witnesses were contributing factors to the penalties. » The second case involved a standard voluntary recovery program (VRP) treatment for an EFDA. » The third case involved two dentists charged with negligently employing a hygienist with an expired license. The first employed the hygienist from 2011– 2015 and was assessed a $4,800 penalty and public reprimand. The second employed the hygienist from 2015–2018 and received a $3,900 penalty and public reprimand. The board asked if sanctions were being levied against the hygienist. Prosecutors announced that the matter was being addressed. » The fourth case involved a hygienist who practiced on a lapsed license from 2017–2019. The hygienist was assessed a $1,450 civil penalty and public reprimand. » The fifth case involved a hygienist practicing on a lapsed license for 53 months. The hygienist paid a $2,550 civil penalty. » The sixth case involved recusals. It was a consent agreement for a licensee convicted of a DUI with a highly elevated blood alcohol level and resisting arrest. She received a immediate temporary license suspension on March 9, but hasn’t been able to return to practice due to the requirement to meet with an evaluator, which could not be achieved during lockdowns. The conditions of the consent agreement include civil penalty of $2,000 and cost of investigation. Her license will remain indefinitely suspended until evaluated. » The seventh case involved a hygienist that received a license suspension based on a mental and physical disorder. She was diagnosed with thought and cognitive impairment. Based on her evaluation, she cannot practice with reasonable skill and safety without constant monitoring. Due to the circumstances of the case, the licensee was not assigned a financial penalty, and would enter into three-year monitoring agreement. Regulations Board counsel reported on several different regulatory packages that are making their way through the process. Regulations regarding licensure and examination fees increases are expected soon. Regulations in accordance with Act 41, which creates a process for licensure by credential when transferring from another state, will likely be addressed in an upcoming regulations subcommittee meeting. As these regulations are required for all licensing boards, they are proceeding in a similar fashion for all boards. Dr. Lugo received suggested edits to the preamble of the regulations expanding public health dental hygiene practitioners (PHDHPs). These edits do not affect the changes made in the regulations. The regulations will need to be considered by several other reviewers by its deadline of March 2021. The board recommended completing the preamble revisions by its July meeting with the goal of voting then. Report of the Chair Dr. Erhard thanked the employees of the Department of State that have dedicated the time to respond to licensee requirements, especially while working remotely. Dr. Erhard noted that the complications of COVID-19 have resulted in changes made to licensing exams for dentists and State Board of Dentistry Report Meeting Summary May 15, 2020