Renewing Your South Carolina Dental License

December 26, 2018 by SC Dental License Defense

It’s time to renew your South Carolina Board of Dentistry License. South Carolina dentists and dental hygienists are required to renew their license to practice dentistry every two years. South Carolina dentists and dental hygienists are currently in the active renewal period. Your dental license must be renewed on or before December 31, 2018, to avoid incurring a late fee. When renewing your dental license, there are a few things to remember:

1. Complete the required number of continuing education hours and maintain copies of your certificates of completion in case you are selected for an audit.
   1. Licensed dentists and dental hygienists must complete two hours of continuing education on sterilization and infection control.
   2. a dentist authorized pursuant to prescribe controlled substances by DHEC and the DEA must complete two or more hours of continuing education every two years related to prescribing and monitoring Schedules II, III, and IV controlled medication.
2. Pay close attention to the questions asked and answer honestly. If you have questions about how to answer a particular question, (ie., what constitutes a charge “other than a minor traffic violation,” what qualifies as a formal complaint, or when am I required to disclose that I am a member of the South Carolina Recovering Professional Program (RPP)), you have the right to consult a South Carolina licensing attorney.  Failure to provide complete and accurate information could result in an investigation against your license or a renewal hearing. If you receive notice of a renewal hearing to discuss the renewal of your license to practice dentistry, you have the right to consult, and appear with counsel. Similarly, if you receive notice that a complaint has been initiated against your South Carolina dental license, you have the right to work with a South Carolina dental license attorney.
3. If you administer anesthesia, Botox or other neuromodulators, complete the appropriate blanks specific to your office practices.
4. The top two types of dental board complaints are substandard patient care and unprofessional conduct, complaints that could be avoided. The renewal period is a great time to review your current office policies and practices to ensure compliance and to meet with staff to discuss any changes to current practice.
5. Don’t wait until the last minute. Discuss the renewal period with your staff.  The last thing you want is to end up defending a claim of unlicensed practice because something slipped through the cracks.

If you have questions about the Board of Dentistry renewal process, or how to respond, feel free to reach out to our professional license defense attorneys for assistance.