F
irst and foremost, thank you for your continued patience as we at
the Oregon Board of Dentistry (OBD) do our best to process the
enormous amount of developing information regarding the COVID-19
(novel coronavirus) pandemic. We understand that during this un-
precedented time, dental procedures pose a unique risk to both dental
professionals and patients alike. Now more than ever, it is critically im-
portant that you are adhering to strict infection control protocols . at
section of the Dental Practice Act can be found in OAR 818-012-0040.
“Infection Control Guidelines” states: “In determining what constitutes
unacceptable patient care with respect to infection control, the Board
may consider current infection control guidelines such as those of the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Dental
Association”.
To reduce the spread of misinformation, and to ensure that all inter-
ested parties have access to the best, most consistent and up-to-date
guidelines and information regarding COVID-19 and the practice
of dentistry, the OBD defers to the advice and the best practices that
are being developed and continuously disseminated by the Centers
for Disease Control, the Oregon Health Authority, and the American
Dental Association. e OBD encourages all parties involved in dental
healthcare to continuously revisit these resources to ensure that den-
tistry is being practiced as safely as possible, and that the risk of trans-
mission of COVID-19 in the dental oce remains as low as possible.
Links to the most up-to-date guidelines can be found on our website,
www.Oregon.Gov/Dentistry.
A
s we transition from spring
into summer, I reect on the
changes that have occurred since
the COVID-19 pandemic upended
our lives and profession. I have gone
through many emotions during this
time; sadness, fear, anger, frustra-
tion, gratitude, happiness and have
come to a point where I have learned
to accept the changes. At the begin-
ning of March if you would have
told me that by the end of the month
my job would be repurposed to supervising a mobile COVID-19 test-
ing site I would not have believed you, but here I am. I am grateful
that I have been able to continue serving the people of Oregon in a
dierent capacity and it lls my heart to see how the dental profession
as a whole has stepped up to help. I would like to thank all the dentists
and hygienists who have signed up with the state emergency provider
registry, who have volunteered to help with testing, who have donated
to dierent organizations that provide food and other services to those
most in need in our communities and to those who have donated PPE
at the risk of not being able to open their own practices. Your contri-
butions have been noticed and appreciated. I would also like to thank
and acknowledge the Board sta for all their hard work during this
time. As “essential employees” of the state the Board sta has report-
ed to work every day, overcoming their own challenges, to ensure the
continuity of Board business.
We continue to make changes as new information emerges which
seems to happen daily. Please check for updates on the Board’s, OHA,
OSHA and CDC websites to remain informed on changes to require-
ments, recommendations and best practices. Patience and exibility
during this time is essential as the dental professions are among those
at highest risk for the virus.
For those who are graduating this summer please know that the Board
is working and communicating with the various testing agencies. We
are committed to minimizing the impact this has on licensure, but
please keep in mind that the Board is understaed. As a reminder,
Oregon accepts all regional and national examinations for licensure
including Objective Structured Clinical Examinations.
We will navigate these new waters together to ensure we are practicing
as safely as possible and protecting the public. Stay healthy and be kind
to one another.
O M: T O B D S O-
.
News
OregON BOard Of deNtistry
Vol. 35 June 2020
P’ MP’ M
Y M, R.D.H.
What’s Inside
O S EO S E
COVID19 PANDEMIC
A Word from e Executive Director . . . . . . . 2
Board Meeting Dates & Board Roster . . . . . . . 3
Rule Changes Eective 1/1/20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
FAQs About Continuing Education . . . . . . . . . 5
New CE Requirement Coming Jan. 2021 . . . . 6
Professional Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Retiring your License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Recognition of Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Our New Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Q: How do I change my information and/or practice location with the Board?Q: How do I change my information and/or practice location with the Board?
A: You can update your information on our website, by clicking "Update Contact Info" under the Licensees section. You A: You can update your information on our website, by clicking "Update Contact Info" under the Licensees section. You
can also email your new information to can also email your new information to information@oregondentistry.orginformation@oregondentistry.org
OREGON BOARD OF DENTISTRY
June 2020
A W F A W F
E DE D
S P
2
Q: What type of BLS/CPR certica-Q: What type of BLS/CPR certica-
tion am I required to maintain while tion am I required to maintain while
licensed?licensed?
A: e CPR certication standard A: e CPR certication standard
is the American Heart Association’s is the American Heart Association’s
BLS Healthcare Providers Course or BLS Healthcare Providers Course or
its equivalent, as determined by the its equivalent, as determined by the
Board. is initial CPR course must be a hands-on course; online CPR Board. is initial CPR course must be a hands-on course; online CPR
courses will not be approved by the Board for initial CPR certication. courses will not be approved by the Board for initial CPR certication.
Aer the initial CPR certication, the Board will accept a Board Aer the initial CPR certication, the Board will accept a Board
approved BLS for Healthcare Providers or its equivalent online renew-approved BLS for Healthcare Providers or its equivalent online renew-
al course for license renewal. All licensees are required to maintain al course for license renewal. All licensees are required to maintain
this certication at all times while licensed, regardless of whether or this certication at all times while licensed, regardless of whether or
not you are currently practicing. not you are currently practicing.
www.oregon.gov/dentistry
We have worked on all areas of this plan. Patient safety will always be our
mission and focus. Now it is time to start planning ahead for our next Stra-
tegic Plan. We want your input and feedback. We plan to utilize a survey
in the next few months to start gathering information and input from you
and other stakeholders on important priorities for the OBD. Information
on this endeavor will be communicated at upcoming 2020 Board Meet-
ings. e OBD needs to have a current email address in our system from
Licensees, to be able to survey you. Licensees also need to provide their
current home and work addresses to the OBD as well. Please go to the OBD
website at www.oregon.gov/dentistry click on “Update Contact Info” and
share your information.
Many state government entities are
now operating with signicant reve-
nue shortfalls due to the COVID-19
pandemic and state of emergency.
Our agency is funded by our Licens-
ees. All fees received cover our oper-
ating costs. We have experienced a
small decrease in expected revenue at
the time I write this article. e 2021-
2023 budget development process is
in full swing. is budget biennium period begins July 1, 2021 and runs
through June 30, 2023. Most state agencies began the budget process earlier
in March 2020. Imagine planning a 2 - year budget, 15 months before the
budget period begins. Also imagine trying to plan ahead with a worldwide
pandemic occurring. I always share the appropriate documents and plans
in the public packets at each board meeting. I do not foresee the need for
any fee increases for 2021, but if the Governor or Legislature make any
signicant changes, or redirect the OBD surplus, then that could change.
ere could be various ways the State reduces expenditures. Agencies could
be directed to cut sta, take furloughs, make pay cuts or any combination.
Reducing available workers or work hours will negatively impact our ser-
vice to all Oregonians. At every Board Meeting I address current budget
issues and include the most recent nancial report tracking all agency ex-
penses and revenue.
ank you all for your commitment to the dental and dental hygiene pro-
fession, and serving 4+ million Oregonians. Please reach out to me at
Stephen.Prisby@state.or.us or call 971-673-3200 on anything OBD related.
I hope you all persevere and wish you all the best as we carry on through
these challenging times.
I
started with the Oregon Board of Dentist
-ry (OBD) in 2012 as the Oce Manager. In
2015 I was chosen as the Executive Director
for the OBD. e words on my desk have been
the same Focus, Fairness, Brevity, Courtesy &
Equity, which is what I strive for every day. In
2015, in my rst newsletter article, I stated the
following:
“I am deeply honored to be in this position,
serving Oregonians and the dental communi-
ty… requires a lot of hard work, persistence, patience and a diplomatic and
objective mindset. I am under no illusion. I know this will be a challenging
position, and that I will not be welcomed or embraced by everyone, whether
it is an unpopular Board decision, policy or something beyond my control.”
Everyone has had a challenging year. e Governor has been forced to take
extreme measures to safeguard and protect Oregonians. e information
and guidance has been challenging to disseminate and the situation has
been very uid. We have strived to remain professional and be a good re-
source, although some information and guidance for all healthcare profes-
sionals still remains ambiguous. I am optimistic that you are using your best
professional judgement, education and training to provide safe and ethical
care.
e Board remains steadfast and focused on our mission and work. Board
sta members were all designated “essential employees” and the OBD as
a whole remained open throughout the pandemic and declared state of
emergency. Although no one was able to visit the Board in person, all du-
ties, functions and work of the OBD have gone on without interruption. I
sincerely thank all of them as they had their own personal issues and strug-
gles in dealing with the situation, like everyone reading this has as well. We
wanted to share important updates with you and let you know what we are
focused on in 2020. It is important to recognize and honor the longest serv-
ing OBD employee in the OBD’s history. Teresa Haynes is ocially retired
and is currently serving (temporarily) as our Project Manager. She started
with the Board back in November 1987 (over 32 years ago). Please enjoy the
article later in this newsletter documenting her contributions to the OBD.
e OBD is in the middle of implementing a new database system, which
will also automate much of the OBD’s data entry work. It should allow di-
rect intuitive online access to interact with the Board for license applica-
tions, license renewals, continuing education submission, complaint sub-
mission, licensee lookup features and other important communications.
Earlier this year we moved our network connection and aligned other IT
resources with the State data center- which is the safest and most robust
option for our agency. Another article in this newsletter will go into more
detail about the new database system implementation project.
Our 2017 - 2020 Strategic Plan had 5 strategic priorities
• Ensure Patient Safety - focus on Dental Implants & Sedation
• Manage Changing/Evolving Model of Dentistry
• Manage Investigation & Case Complexity
• Succession Planning
• Retain Agency Autonomy
OREGON BOARD OF DENTISTRY
June
2020
www.oregon.gov/dentistry
3
B SB S
Stephen Prisby,
Executive Director
Stephen.Prisby@state.or.us
Daniel Blickensta, D.D.S., M.Sc.,
Dental Director and Chief Investigator
Daniel.Blickensta@state.or.us
Teresa Haynes,
Project Manager
Teresa.Haynes@state.or.us
Ingrid Nye,
Examination and
Licensing Manager
Ingrid.N[email protected]r.us
Winthrop "Bernie" Carter, D.D.S.
Dental Investigator
Bernie.Carter@state.or.us
Haley Robinson,
Oce Manager
Haley.Robinson@state.or.us
Shane Rubio,
Investigator/Diversion
Coordinator
Shane.Rubio@state.or.us
Samantha VandeBerg,
Oce Specialist
Samantha.VandeBerg@state.or.us
B M O B M O
S S
T
he Oregon Board of Dentistry consists of ten Board Members. Six must
be Oregon licensed dentists, one of which must be a dental specialist,
two dental hygienists, and two public members. In the spring of 2021, two
Board Member positions will be available when the second terms of service
conclude for Dr. Todd Beck and Alicia Riedman, RDH. A Board term of
service is four years, with Board Members typically serving two terms. e
Governor appoints the Board member, and the Senate conrms them. e
Governor’s oce will review and consider the applicant’s geographic loca-
tion, ethnic background, diversity, disciplinary history (if any) and other
factors important to the Governor. An Oregon licensed dentist, who resides
in Oregon, may apply for a dentist position on the Board. An Oregon li-
censed dental hygienist, who resides in Oregon, may apply for a dental hy-
gienist position on the Board.
A Board Member is actively involved within the context of the agency’s reg-
ulatory governance model: policy-making, strategic planning, and oversight
responsibilities necessary for the success and well-being of the OBD, its
licensees, consumers and other stakeholders. It truly is a volunteer position,
with Board Members needing to be engaged in all areas that impact safe
dentistry and dental hygiene licensure, education, rulemaking, policy and
disciplinary matters. Please go to the OBD website for more information.
At the bottom of the OBD home page under Board/Sta Openings, there
is a document providing an overview of desired requirements of a board
member and other important information.
C S C S
B MB M
Y M, R.D.H. Y M, R.D.H.
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A R, R.D.H.A R, R.D.H.
V P
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A B. F, D.M.D.A B. F, D.M.D.
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J J, D.D.S.J J, D.D.S.
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H P, D.M.D.H P, D.M.D.
H
F
2020 - 2021
• August 21, 2020
• October 23, 2020
• December 18, 2020
• February 19, 2021
• April 16, 2021
• June 18, 2021
• August 20, 2021
• October 22, 2021
• December 17, 2021
S B MS B M
OREGON BOARD OF DENTISTRY
June 2020 www.oregon.gov/dentistry
T
he state’s Health Professionals’ Services Program (HPSP) began in
July 2010 following the legislative consolidation of professional health
boards' alternative to discipline and diversion monitoring programs under
ORS 676.190. e program has been operated by Reliant Behavioral Health
ever since and supports public safety while helping licensed health profes-
sionals with recovery and to continue practicing. To be eligible for the pro-
gram, the licensed health professional must have a diagnosed substance use
disorder, a mental health disorder, or both types of disorders. Four health
profession regulatory boards currently participate in HPSP: Oregon Board
of Dentistry (OBD), Oregon Medical Board (OMB), Oregon State Board of
Nursing (OSBN), and Board of Pharmacy (OBOP).
HPSP provides the structure and accountability for licensed health profes-
sionals to be successful. Licensed dental board professionals require approv-
al from the Oregon Board of Dentistry to participate in HPSP. e Board’s
designated Diversion Coordinator is Shane Rubio and he can be reached at
971-673-3200. If you have any questions or concerns regarding HPSP, feel
free to contact Mr. Rubio. He can speak with you anonymously about the
program and the enrollment process. You can also learn more about HPSP
by visiting www.RBHMonitoring.com.
H P' H P'
S P US P U
4
Q: When do I renew my license?Q: When do I renew my license?
A: Dental licenses expire on March A: Dental licenses expire on March
31 every other year, and Dental 31 every other year, and Dental
Hygiene licenses expire on Septem-Hygiene licenses expire on Septem-
ber 30 every other year. If you were ber 30 every other year. If you were
licensed on an even-numbered licensed on an even-numbered
year, your license will always expire year, your license will always expire
on an even-numbered year; if you on an even-numbered year; if you
were licensed on an odd-numbered year, your license will expire on an were licensed on an odd-numbered year, your license will expire on an
odd-numbered year. is means that your rst renewal cycle aer your odd-numbered year. is means that your rst renewal cycle aer your
initial licensure may be slightly longer or shorter than the standard two initial licensure may be slightly longer or shorter than the standard two
years.years.
C C
E J , E J ,
e Oregon Board of Dentistry and other state agencies operate under
a system of administrative rules to ensure fairness and consistency in
procedures and decisions. Periodically, these Oregon Administrative
Rules (OARs) must be adopted, amended or repealed. OARs are writ-
ten within the agency’s statutory authority granted by the Legislature.
e Board held two public rulemaking hearings on September 17 and
October 11, 2019, along with accepting public comment on the pro-
posed rule changes from late August until October 11, 2019.
At the October 25, 2019 Board Meeting, the Board adopted two (2) new
vaccine rules, two (2) temporary rules and amended 30 other rules.
ese 34 rule changes were eective January 1, 2020.
Ocial Notice of rulemaking is provided in the Oregon Secretary of
State’s Bulletin. Due to space constraints in this newsletter, the full text
of the OARs and all rules can be found on our website:
http://www.oregon.gov/dentistry under “Hot Topics”.
D V D V
Y D PY D P
D
uring the COVID-19 pandemic, many law enforcement agencies
and domestic violence/abuse resource agencies have documented an
increase in reports of domestic violence and abuse, as abuse victims have
found themselves quarantined with their abusers and unable to escape an
abusive and/or violent home environment. Abuse victims may have avoided
visiting healthcare clinics or ER facilities for fear of contracting the novel
coronavirus. As patients return to dental oces, dental professionals may
be in the position of noting injuries or other signs of violence and abuse
before any other healthcare professional. Please note that resource hotlines
and links below have been updated to reect current information. e OBD
would like to remind licensees that, eective January 1, 2015, dentists are
considered mandatory reporters for abuse of the elderly and disabled, in
addition to their preexisting status as mandatory reporters for child abuse/
neglect.
OREGON RESOURCES FOR REPORTING ABUSE:
• Oregon Dept. of Human Services (DHS) Abuse Hotline:
1-855-503-SAFE (7233)
How to Report Abuse/Neglect:
www.oregon.gov/DHS/ABUSE/Pages/index.aspx
• Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence:
www.ocadsv.org
• Info & Services for Victims/Survivors of Domestic Violence
(via Oregon DHS): www.oregon.gov/DHS/ABUSE/DOMESTIC/Pages/
consumers.aspx
• Domestic Violence Victim Services (via Oregon DHS): www.oregon.gov/
DHS/ABUSE/DOMESTIC/Pages/index.aspx
• Oregon Dept. of Justice COVID-19 specic violence/abuse resource index:
https://www.doj.state.or.us/crime-victims/for-grantees/covid-19-updates/
OREGON BOARD OF DENTISTRY
June 2020
www.oregon.gov/dentistry
5
Everything you need to know about Everything you need to know about
Continuing Education (CE)Continuing Education (CE)
Q: What are my hourly requirements for CE as a dentist or dental
hygienist?
A: Dentists are required to complete 40 hours of CE per biennial cy-
cle, and Dental Hygienists are required to complete 24 hours. Den-
tal Hygienists who hold an Expanded Practice Permit are required
to take 36 hours. Within these hours, at least two hours must be
related specically to infection control in an oral healthcare setting,
and three hours must be related to medical emergencies. For ni-
trous oxide and minimal sedation permit holders, four hours must
be related to your sedation permit. For moderate sedation or deep-
er, 14 hours must be related to your sedation permit.
Q: I took an OSHA course. Can I count this towards my infection
control requirement?
A: Possibly. OSHA courses can be counted towards the infection
control requirement only if the time spent on infection control is
delineated from the rest of the topics covered. Blood-borne patho-
gens, safety equipment, etc., do not meet the requirements for CE
related to infection control. OSHA courses submitted without de-
lineation of topics will automatically be counted under practice
management. If less than two hours of your OSHA course was spent
on infection control specically, you will be required to take an ad-
ditional course.
Q: How many of my CE hours can I complete online?
A: All of them. e OBD has no rules that would prohibit you from
taking all of your required courses online. However, courses taken
online must include a test at the end of the course in order to meet
the Board’s requirements.
Q: Do I need to submit proof of my CE to the Board?
A: Each renewal cycle, the Board audits a random selection of ap-
proximately 15% of licensees due for renewal. If you are audited,
you will be notied several months in advance, with instructions
on how to complete your audit. If you are audited, the OBD asks
that you submit only the provided CE log as well as your BLS cer-
tication – original CE certicates should not be included, and
should be kept for your records. If a complaint is led against you,
an investigator may also ask you to submit proof of your continuing
education. In this case, you will be required to submit copies of your
certicates for your past two biennial cycles. Proof of CE does not
need to be submitted unless requested by board sta.
Q: How long do I need to retain copies of my CE certicates?
A: Four years, or two biennial cycles. Additionally, the Board will
not retain certicates/CE logs sent in response to an audit or inves-
tigation – it is your responsibility to retain them.
A: Yes. As long as the courses were completed on two dierent
dates, you may count them both.
Q: Can I take the same course twice?
Q: Can my medical emergencies course also count towards the re-
newal of my sedation permit?
A: Yes. You may use the same medical emergencies course to toward
both requirements, however, the hours may only be counted once.
Q: If I’m not currently practicing, but I want to maintain my
license, am I required to do my continuing education?
A: Yes. Even if you are not practicing, you must do the required CE in
order to renew your license.
Q: How many hours of my BLS, ACLS or PALS recertication
course can I count?
A: All of them. Contact the course provider to nd out how many
hours your specic course was.
Q: Where can I nd Board-approved CE courses?
A: e Board does not approve specic CE courses. As long as it
meets the requirements for continuing education set forth in OARS
818-021-0060 and 818-021-0070, it will meet the Board’s require-
ments.
Q: What if I can’t nish my CE before my license expires?
A: If you complete 75% or more of the required CE, it will result in a
letter informing you to complete the remaining CE by the specied
deadline. You will have a 60-day grace period from the time your
license expires to complete the remaining CE. If you complete less
than 75%, but greater than 25% of the required CE, the Board will
request a letter of explanation, review extenuating circumstances,
and audit an additional two-year biennial cycle. Discipline may be
recommended aer review of circumstances by the Board Evalua-
tors. If you complete less than 25% of the required CE, the Board
will audit previous renewal cycles, and recommend a reprimand and
a civil penalty.
Q: How should I track my CE hours?
A: A PDF version of our CE log is available on our website for you
to download. is form is electronically llable, and breaks down all
the hourly requirements. It is not required to track your CE in this
format, but it may make it easier for you in the event that you are
audited or investigated by a member of our sta and asked to submit
a CE log.
OREGON BOARD OF DENTISTRY
June 2020 www.oregon.gov/dentistry
6
C CC C
N CE N CE
E J , E J ,
E
ective January 1, 2021, licensees must incorporate two (2) hours of Cul-
tural Competency CE into your existing continuing education require-
ments. is means licensees who renew their licenses starting in 2021 must
complete this requirement prior to their expiration date. However, licensees
do not need to wait until 2021 to take this type of course for it to count to-
wards their continuing education. Please note that these two hours are not in
addition to the 24, 36 or 40 hours of CE required for the renewal of a license,
but are calculated within those hours. e Oregon Board of Dentistry denes
cultural competency continuing education as:
“Cultural competency continuing education is a life-long process of examin-
ing values and beliefs while developing and applying an inclusive approach to
health care practice in a manner that recognizes the context and complexities
of provider-patient interactions and preserves the dignity of individuals, fam-
ilies and communities. Continuing education in cultural competency should
teach attitudes, knowledge and skills to care eectively for patients from di-
verse cultures, groups and communities.”
e 2019 Legislative session yielded HB 2011, which directs most health reg-
ulatory licensing boards to require their licensees to complete this type of CE.
e OBD supports the legislation, and is here to help you meet this require-
ment. e Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is regularly updating their website
https://www.oregon.gov/oha/OEI/Pages/CCCE.aspx to assist you in taking
classes on this subject. You also may fulll the CE requirement outside of the
OHA. No one is obligated to use the OHA for this type of CE.
e OBD has generally given its licensees wide latitude to complete any and
all continuing education requirements. You may take classes online (except
initial Healthcare Provider BLS/CPR Certication), use free providers and can
always check with us before taking the class to see if it meets our criteria and
rules. We audit approximately 15% of all licensees each renewal cycle, and
those involved in disciplinary matters are checked for compliance as well.
P C P C
D B, D.D.S., M.S.D B, D.D.S., M.S.
M
ost dentists have had cases where correct
protocols were followed, but they had less
than ideal outcomes. If another dentist were to
see one of your “less than ideal” crowns or llings,
what would you want them to do? Discuss the is-
sue with you, or le a complaint with the Board?
Even though ORS 679.310 states that “Any per-
son licensed by the Oregon Board of Dentistry,
shall report to the Board any suspected violation
of this chapter or ORS 680.010 to 680.205 or any
rule adopted by the Board,” perhaps you would like an opportunity to discuss
what the other dentist saw, and if you agreed that the case was less than perfect,
make it right before a Board complaint was led against you.
e Board has seen an uptick of complaints against dentists led by fellow den-
tists in the past year. Almost all of the dentists that have been interviewed state
that they are not intentionally harming patients, that they are trying to provide
competent patient care for the patient, and want to do what is right for the
patient.
e Board is required by statute to investigate all written complaints against
licensees, and takes the investigative process very seriously. e Board uses this
process to verify that the licensee has complied with all of the Board rules per-
taining to continuing education, maintaining a Healthcare Provider level BLS/
CPR certicate, and the testing of each autoclave in the oce where the licensee
practices on a weekly basis, as well as investigating the treatment provided the
patient.
is is a lengthy process and at the present time can take up to a year to com-
plete. If you, as a licensee, have an issue with another licensee’s treatment of a
patient, a quicker rst step to resolve the issue might be to discuss the matter
with the licensee rather than ling a complaint with the Board. You can do it
via a short phone call to discuss the case or send an email to the other dentist.
If bringing the issue to the attention of the licensee doesn’t resolve the issue in
your opinion, then you can always take the issue to the Board.
On average, the Board investigates 250 cases per year, and of those cases in-
vestigated only about 18% result in discipline to a licensee. In many cases, the
Board investigation nds that there is a violation of the Dental Practice Act,
but it does not rise to the level of deserving discipline. Many times, just letting
the licensee know that there are issues with the treatment that was provided
is enough for the licensee to change their behavior, address the issue and/or
protocols.
Again, before you le a complaint against a fellow licensee, pause and think
about how you would like to be treated in this situation. We are not advocating
you do not follow the Dental Practice Act, we are advocating that you commu-
nicate respectfully and professionally with your colleagues to best serve your
patients.
SERV-OR - Volunteer today to save lives during COVID-19SERV-OR - Volunteer today to save lives during COVID-19
Oregon is facing a public health care crisis due to COVID-19. Health
care resources are strained, and we need health care professionals like
you to register with SERV-OR to join the response to COVID-19.
What is SERV-OR?
e State Emergency Registry of Volunteers in Oregon (SERV-OR) is a
statewide pool of licensed physicians, nurses, pharmacists, Emergency
Medical Technicians (EMTs), behavioral health providers, respiratory
therapists and other health professionals who are willing to volunteer in
response to Federal, State, and/or local emergencies.
Register with SERV-OR today to support your fellow health profession-
als and communities in this time of crisis
To nd out more or to register, visit SERV-OR.org
Q: Is it possible to train my dental assistants in-house Q: Is it possible to train my dental assistants in-house
to perform duties such as radiology, sealants, so to perform duties such as radiology, sealants, so
relines and packing cord? relines and packing cord?
A: Yes, but rst you must apply for Board approval as A: Yes, but rst you must apply for Board approval as
an instructor. Applications for the various instructor an instructor. Applications for the various instructor
permits can be found on our website, under the “Dental Assistants” tab. permits can be found on our website, under the “Dental Assistants” tab.
OREGON BOARD OF DENTISTRY
June 2020
www.oregon.gov/dentistry
7
S Y' T S Y' T
... ...
W N W N
I N, E L MI N, E L M
Y
ou’ve had a long and happy career practicing den-
tistry or dental hygiene in Oregon, and you’re start-
ing to think about retirement, or perhaps you have
already retired from practice. First of all, congratu-
lations! When your next Oregon license renewal ap-
proaches, what will you choose to do? Do you want to
maintain your license, retire it, convert it to a volunteer
license, or perhaps just let it expire? is article will
help you understand all of your options!
Maintain An Active License:Maintain An Active License:
What Does It Mean?What Does It Mean? Maintaining your active license means that you will com-
plete all the requirements for renewal, and continue renewing your license as
you have done previously. You will be able to practice dentistry/dental hygiene
legally in Oregon as long as your license is active.
Why?Why? Maintaining your dental/dental hygiene license in an active status once
you retire from your practice allows you to return to the practice of dentist-
ry/dental hygiene if and when you choose to do so, without requiring you to
contact the OBD or go through the reinstatement process. We are all living in
uncertain times; you may retire from practice, and discover that your invest-
ments are not adequate to cover your needs in the future, and wish to return
to practice in Oregon or elsewhere! If you move to a dierent state, or wish to
practice abroad, many states/countries require that you hold an active license
in another state in order to obtain a license in that state/country. If you have
sold your practice and have taken part of the sales price on as a receivable asset,
you may need to re-enter the practice and work again to preserve that asset if
the buyer defaults on the obligation. Finally, you may feel the sentiment we
hear from many of our licensees: “I worked hard to earn this license, and I
want to keep it!”
How?How? To maintain your license, you will need to pay your renewal fees, keep
your Healthcare Provider BLS/CPR certication current at all times (even if
you are no longer practicing), and complete your CE requirements on the
same schedule as always. If you hold a sedation permit, you will also need
to complete the appropriate CE to renew that permit; if you hold a Moderate
Sedation, Deep Sedation, or General Anesthesia permit, you will also need to
maintain a current ACLS and/or PALS certication.
Retire Your License:Retire Your License:
What Does It Mean? What Does It Mean? We oer our licensees who are no longer practicing
dentistry/dental hygiene in any jurisdiction the option to retire their licens-
es. Licensees who are still practicing in other jurisdictions are not eligible for
license retirement. Retiring your license means voluntarily choosing to take
your license o “active” status and placing it into “retired” status. A retired li-
cense does not allow you to practice dentistry/dental hygiene in Oregon under
any circumstances.
Why?Why? A retired license is not an active license. You are not able to practice in
Oregon with a retired license, but also, you are no longer required to pay your
renewal fees, maintain a current Healthcare Provider BLS/CPR certication, or
complete the required CE. You can enjoy your well-deserved retirement with-
out worrying about renewing your Oregon license! By our current rules, you
have up to four years to apply to reinstate your retired dental/dental hygiene
license; the requirements do not change based on how long your license has
been retired, and the cost to reinstate a retired license is generally lower than
the cost to reinstate an expired license. Please read on to learn more about
reinstating a retired license.
How?How? Contact the Board prior to your license expiration date and request a
retirement form. Once you receive the retirement form, you will sign and date
it, then return it by mail to the OBD. e signed retirement form must be re-
ceived within 60 days of the date your license expires (no later than May 30th
for dentists, and no later than November 29th for dental hygienists) in order
for us to place your license on retired status.
Allow Your License to Expire:Allow Your License to Expire:
What Does It Mean?What Does It Mean? Allowing your license to expire means that you volun-
tarily choose not to complete your renewal process at your next renewal date.
If the license is not renewed, it will expire on the listed expiration date (March
31st for dentists; September 30th for dental hygienists). An expired license
does not allow you to practice dentistry/dental hygiene in Oregon under any
circumstances. If you are still practicing dentistry/dental hygiene in any other
jurisdiction, but do not wish to renew your Oregon license, retiring your li-
cense is not permitted, and allowing your license to expire would be your only
option.
Why? Why? Like a retired license, an expired license is not an active license. You
are not able to practice in Oregon with an expired license, but also, you are no
longer required to pay your renewal fees, maintain a current Healthcare Pro-
vider BLS/CPR certication, or complete the required CE. You will no longer
need to worry about renewing your Oregon license! By our current rules, you
have up to four years to apply to reinstate your expired dental/dental hygiene
license; the requirements change, and the costs increase, based on how much
time has passed since your license expired. Please read on to learn more about
reinstating an expired license.
How? How? Allowing your license to expire simply requires that you do not go
through the process to renew the license. Without renewal, your license will
expire on the listed expiration date. Although no action is required, the OBD
does appreciate being notied by mail or email if you plan to allow your license
to expire, as it lets us know we do not need to keep sending you reminders to
renew!
Convert License To A Volunteer License:Convert License To A Volunteer License:
What Does It Mean?What Does It Mean? e OBD oers licensees the ability to apply for a volun-
teer license. Once your license is converted into a volunteer license, you are
permitted to practice in Oregon on a volunteer basis only. In applying for a
volunteer license, you agree that you will not accept any remuneration for pro-
viding dental/dental hygiene services in Oregon as long as your license remains
a volunteer license, and you agree to provide at least 80 hours of volunteer pro
bono dental/dental hygiene services in Oregon per renewal cycle. A volunteer
license is still considered an active license; as such, you will need to complete
your CE and maintain a current Healthcare Provider BLS/CPR certication at
all times, along with all of the CE/certications required for your anesthesia
permit (if any), in the same manner as a non-volunteer license.
Continued on Pg. 8
OREGON BOARD OF DENTISTRY
June 2020 www.oregon.gov/dentistry
If expired 30 days or less;
• Pay a $50 penalty fee, and;
• Pay the biennial renewal fee, and;
• Submit a completed renewal application form and certication of having
completed the Board’s continuing education requirements.
If expired more than 30 days but less than 60 days;
• Pay a $100 penalty fee, and;
• Pay the biennial renewal fee, and;
• Submit a completed renewal application form and certication of having
completed the Board’s continuing education requirements.
If expired more than 60 days but less than one year;
• Pay a $150 penalty fee, and;
• Pay all renewal fees that would have been due while the license was ex-
pired, and;
• Pay a $500 reinstatement fee, and;
• Submit a completed reinstatement application form, and;
• Submit certication of having completed the Board’s continuing educa-
tion requirements (the Board may request evidence of satisfactory com-
pletion of the CE courses.), and;
• Complete a new background check (instructions for completion of the
background check will be sent upon receipt of a reinstatement applica-
tion).
If expired more than one year but less than four years;
• Pay a $250 penalty fee, and;
• Pay all renewal fees that would have been due while the license was ex-
pired, and;
• Pay a $500 reinstatement fee, and;
• Pass the Board’s Jurisprudence Exam, and;
• Submit evidence of good standing from all states in which the applicant
holds a license/certicate in a health care profession, and;
• Submit a completed reinstatement application form and certication of
having completed the Board’s continuing education requirements (the
Board may request evidence of satisfactory completion of the CE cours-
es.), and;
• Complete a new background check (instructions for completion of the
background check will be sent upon receipt of a reinstatement applica-
tion), and;
• Pass any qualifying examination as may be determined necessary by the
Board aer assessing the applicant’s professional background and creden-
tials.
If expired more than four years, renewal/reinstatement of the expired license is
no longer possible. e dentist or dental hygienist must apply for a new license
under the current statute and rules of the Board.
Reinstate a Retired License
A dentist or dental hygienist may retire their Oregon license if they do not
practice dentistry or dental hygiene in any other state. Once your license is
retired, you may not practice under any circumstances until your license has
been renewed/reinstated and returned to an active status. For the rules rele-
vant to renewal/reinstatement of a retired license, please see OAR 818-021-
0090.
• Pay a $500 reinstatement fee, and;
• Pass the Board’s Jurisprudence Exam, and;
• Submit evidence of good standing from all states in which the applicant
holds a license/certicate in a health care profession, and;
Continued from Pg. 7
If you wish at any time to return to practicing for remuneration, you
must contact the Board and follow the steps we will provide for paying
the renewal fees. Once the OBD removes the volunteer status from your
license, you may return to accepting remuneration for the dental/dental
hygiene services you provide. Rules regarding the volunteer license can
be found in OAR 818-021-0088.
Why? Why? ere are many reasons to consider converting your license to a
volunteer license! First and foremost, the OBD waives the renewal fees for
individuals who apply for/renew a volunteer dental/dental hygiene license!
Applying for and obtaining a volunteer license is a relatively risk-free “so
exit” from your dental/dental hygiene practice, and a great option for indi-
viduals who have a passion for providing dental care to needy Oregonians,
and aren’t quite ready to let go of their licenses. You can decide at any time
to return to a regular dental/dental hygiene license, and aer paying the
renewal fees, you can return to non-volunteer practice in Oregon within
a relatively short timeline. Once you have applied for and obtained your
volunteer license, you must provide at least 80 hours of volunteer pro bono
dental/dental hygiene services in Oregon within the following renewal cy-
cle. However, if you do not complete those hours, you do not need to worry
about the OBD taking action against your license! e only consequences
for failing to complete the required volunteer hours are as follows: at your
next renewal cycle, you will not be able to renew your license as a volunteer
license. Once you reached your next renewal, if you did not complete all
of the required volunteer hours, you would either have to renew the license
as a regular dental/dental hygiene license (and pay the renewal fees), retire
the license, or allow to it expire. Finally, some organizations (notably the
Oregon Dental Association) may waive or reduce some fees for individuals
who hold volunteer dental or dental hygiene licenses. For example, in the
past, the ODA has allowed volunteer dentists and dental hygienists to at-
tend the Oregon Dental Convention at no cost!
How? How? Download the Volunteer License Application packet from the web-
site. Fill out and sign all of the forms in the packet. Mail the documents
in the packet to the OBD oce. Shortly thereaer, you will receive a new
license, reecting the volunteer status, by mail. If you are converting your
license to a volunteer license at the same time as your renewal, you will
also need to complete your online renewal. Please note: e OBD is in the
process of migrating to a new database system, and the application process
for volunteer licenses is expected change in the near future! If you wish to
apply for a volunteer license, please contact the OBD by email at
information@oregondentistry.org or by phone at 971-673-3200, so we can
make sure to direct you to the proper application process.
How Does Reinstatement Work?How Does Reinstatement Work?
Reinstate an Expired License
Any license that is not renewed by the listed expiration date will expire. A
license that has expired may be brought back to active status any time up
to four years aer the expiration date. You may not practice under any
circumstances until your license has been renewed/reinstated and returned
to an active status. For the rules relevant to renewal/reinstatement of an
expired license, please see OAR 818-021-0085.
If expired 10 days or less;
• Pay the biennial renewal fee, and;
• Submit a completed renewal application form and certication
of having completed the Board’s continuing education
requirements.
8
OREGON BOARD OF DENTISTRY
June 2020
www.oregon.gov/dentistry
9
• Submit a completed reinstatement application form and certication of hav-
ing completed the Board’s continuing education requirements. (e Board
may request evidence of satisfactory completion of the C.E. courses.), and;
• Complete a new background check (instructions for completion of the back-
ground check will be sent upon receipt of a reinstatement application), and;
• Pass any qualifying examination as may be determined necessary by the
Board aer assessing the applicant’s professional background and credentials.
If retired more than four years, renewal/reinstatement of the retired license is no
longer possible. e dentist or dental hygienist must apply for a new license under
the current statute and rules of the Board.
What About Resignation?What About Resignation?
Resignation of a License
A dentist or dental hygienist who no longer practices in Oregon, but wishes to con-
tinue to practice in another state, may resign their Oregon license. Licenses that
are resigned under this rule (OAR 818-021-0095) may not be reinstated.
When dental professionals near the end of their careers in dentistry and dental
hygiene, there are many choices to be made, some of which are exciting, and others
which may prove to be quite nerve-wracking! Talking with friends, family, and
fellow professionals can oen be helpful in making these decisions. When it comes
to making a decision about what to do with your Oregon dental/dental hygiene li-
cense, OBD Sta would be happy to be a part of the decision-making team! Please
feel free to reach out to the OBD at information@oregondentistry.org or 971-673-
3200 at any time, if you wish to discuss your options, or if you need more informa-
tion about any of the options included in this article. e OBD is deeply grateful to
you for your years of service to the people of Oregon, and we congratulate you on
taking steps towards this new phase of your life!
Q: I am attempting to get my license Q: I am attempting to get my license
in another state, and they are request-in another state, and they are request-
ing verication of my Oregon creden-ing verication of my Oregon creden-
tials. What do I need to do? tials. What do I need to do?
A: Primary source license veri-A: Primary source license veri-
cation for active licenses is done cation for active licenses is done
through our online database, which through our online database, which
can be accessed here: https://lookup.can be accessed here: https://lookup.
oregondentistry.org/. If your license oregondentistry.org/. If your license
in Oregon is no longer active, you will in Oregon is no longer active, you will
need to contact our oce to request need to contact our oce to request
the appropriate form. the appropriate form.
P D P D
M P M P
(PDMP)(PDMP)
e PDMP is a tool to help health care providers oer patients better
care in managing their prescriptions. It contains information provided
by Oregon-licensed retail pharmacies. Pharmacies submit prescription
data to the PDMP system for all Schedules II, III and IV controlled
substances dispensed to Oregon residents. e protected health infor-
mation is collected and stored securely.
Legislation was passed in February 2018, along with rules enacted by
the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) requiring all dentists with an
Oregon active Federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reg-
istration to register with the PDMP by July 1, 2018. e OBD imple-
mented a new rule: eective January 1, 2020, failure to register with the
PDMP is considered unprofessional conduct. e OBD has also put in
place new protocols that when doing any type of investigation, Board
sta will verify that the Licensee has registered with the PDMP.
As of May 1, 2020, approximately 92% of Oregon licensed dentists,
required to register with the PDMP, have done so. Licensees who are
required to register, but who have not, could be subject to an investiga-
tion and Board Action taken against them.
Following is information on how to register:
• PDMP registration at https://oregon.pmpaware.net
• Short videos on how to register at https://www.oregonpainguid-
ance.org/state-organizations/pdmp-access/
• Required for Registration:
• Access to a PC, tablet, or smart phone
• NPI and DEA number
• Digital copy of government-issued identication, such as pass-
port or state-issued driver license
e most common error and cause of delay is failure to verify registra-
tion via email. New registrants must open the verication email from
the PDMP and click the “Verify your email” link right away. If they
do not receive an email they should check their spam folders. Please
contact the PDMP sta directly if you are having issues registering at
pdmp.health@state.or.us
Q: How can I obtain an additional Q: How can I obtain an additional
copy of my license? copy of my license?
A: You may request an additional A: You may request an additional
copy of your license on our website, copy of your license on our website,
under the “Update Contact Info” under the “Update Contact Info”
section. You can also call or email section. You can also call or email
our oce at any time to request our oce at any time to request
additional copies. Please note that additional copies. Please note that
licenses are printed and mailed every Friday, so requests may licenses are printed and mailed every Friday, so requests may
take up to a week to process. take up to a week to process.
Teresa with her daughter, Michelle
T
eresa Haynes has been ocially retired from the
OBD since December 31, 2019. However, most
licensees don’t realize that, because she has gracious-
ly been working with the OBD as a retiree with limit-
ed hours, due to restrictions on PERS retirees. She
has agreed to oversee the database implementation
project with the Executive Director. She will also as-
sist in a smooth hand o of job duties to our new (as
of April 1) Oce Manager, Haley Robinson, who is scheduled to be back from
maternity leave later in the year.
Teresa has served the Board since November
2, 1987, and originally started working for the
State of Oregon in June 1984 when she was
in her early twenties. During her 32+ years of
service to the Board she has helped thousands
of Licensees navigate the licensing process and
make sense of the many versions of the Dental
Practice Act. She transitioned to the Oce Ma-
nager role a few years ago to train Ingrid Nye as the Examination & Licensing
Manager, and further support the OBD. She has been able to navigate changes
to the oce sta, leadership, systems, processes and state government bureauc-
racy with a positive attitude and a commitment to service.
Teresa is the youngest of nine children and she was born and raised in Oregon.
She started her state career with the Department of Commerce, and worked
for the Corporation Commissioner, Jane Edwards. Ms. Edwards later become
the Executive Director for the OBD. Ms. Edwards asked Teresa to come work
with her when she became the Executive Director, which she happily accepted.
Teresa has worked with a colorful cast of Board Members, Executive Directors
and sta over the past 32 years. Teresa has a daughter, Michelle, who is now
28 years old, and is nishing her education to become a veterinary technician.
Teresa plans to be semi-retired for a few years, and she no doubt will have many
opportunities available. She looks forward to more travels, running some 5k
and 10ks and volunteer work as well.
When I joined the Board in the summer of 2012, I relied on Teresa like many
to understand the Dental Practice Act and the interesting complexities of cer-
tications available to dental assistants. She was invaluable to me, as I was new
to state government. She has been an in-
dispensable resource to many Board Mem-
bers, sta and licensees.
We will plan to properly honor and celeb-
rate her contributions at either the August
or October Board Meeting as the pan-
demic and appropriate social distancing
restrictions abate.
When asked for words to describe her
from Board Members and other stakehol-
ders (this was a small sample) that have
worked with her, this is what was recei-
ved and I had to summarize due to space
constraints in this newsletter:
Governor Kate Brown (le) and Teresa Haynes (right)
OREGON BOARD OF DENTISTRY
June 2020 www.oregon.gov/dentistry
10
S: S:
T HT H
By Stephen Prisby, Executive Director
"She is welcoming, generous, warm, thoughtful, giving,
and real."
"Honestly, Teresa is the rare gem you get to meet a few of
in a lifetime. She knows how to make everyone feel valued
and treasured, you feel you can truly relax in her presence.
She is just a pleasure to work with and a joy to have met."
"She is an expert at her job, but more than that,
I am honored to have met her and have had the
opportunity to have worked with her."
"Teresa is very compassionate and cares for licensees as
people."
"Teresa doesn’t rush to judgment; she waits for data
before making decisions."
"When I think of her, I think of the perfect employee."
"One could ask Teresa a question about any-
thing and she always had the answer. If not,
she was quick to say she would check on it
and get back to you, and always did!"
"Always cheerful and willing to help, it was a joy working
with her."
"Her vast knowledge of the way things work is going to be
missed."
"ere have been several Executive Directors,
not to mention Board Members during her
time with the Board and I believe she trained
you all well!"
OREGON BOARD OF DENTISTRY
June 2020 www.oregon.gov/dentistry
11
OBD N D POBD N D P
T
he Oregon Board of Dentistry in early 2020 contracted with inLumon, an
established regulatory soware provider supporting dozens of govern-
ment agencies, state licensing boards and commissions in over 15 states, to
implement a new Application, Licensing and Investigation system. e new
system will be designed to improve eciencies and track compliance for the
issuance, renewal, and maintenance of licenses for dentists and dental hy-
gienists within the state. e new web-based system will enable a variety of
users, including applicants, current licensees, Board sta, and the public, a
highly-secure and intuitive platform for easily accessing online services.
Some benets of the new system will include:
• Online portal for applicants and Licensees to apply online, submit infor-
mation and receive status updates electronically.
• Automated workows and notications for sta and constituents.
• Real time report generation of licensing data.
Stay tuned for updates via board emails and Board Meeting documents. We
ask that you provide the Board with an updated email address so that you
can receive updates on this and other important OBD business like license
renewal notices, Committee and Board Meetings notices, rule changes, etc.
e project will be implemented in stages to ensure functionality and work-
ow meet the project’s requirements. Change is one theme of 2020, and we
appreciate your patience as you navigate the new system whether to renew
your license, or interact with the Board through this new system in a number
of ways.
Did you know that you can be a part of our
mailing and/or emailing list for rule chang-
es, board meeting and committee agendas?
Stay up-to-date on what's new by sending
your contact information to
information@oregondentistry.org and
request to join our mailing list.
T
he Oregon Board of Dentistry (Board) regularly receives questions about
the requirement for radiographs/Xrays, and how oen they are required.
e decision when to take or not to take radiographs is the responsibility of an
Oregon licensed Dentist or an Expanded Practice Permit Dental Hygienist and
is based on factors including the patient’s oral health, patient’s age, the risk for
disease and any sign or symptoms of oral disease that a patient may be expe-
riencing.
e Board does not have a time requirement for how oen radiographs or
X-rays are to be taken. So if your Dentist says we (the Board) require X-rays ev-
ery year, that is not true. e Dentist is the one who decides if the radiographs
are needed, not the patient. ey are an important diagnostic tool and it is the
responsibility of the treating Dentist to determine how oen they are needed.
e Board takes the following into consideration when it reviews care provided
by our Licensees: Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 679.140(4) states:
“In determining what constitutes unacceptable patient care, the board may take
into account all relevant factors and practices, including but not limited to the
practices generally and currently followed and accepted by persons licensed
to practice Dentistry in this state, the current teachings at accredited dental
schools, relevant technical reports published in recognized dental journals and
the desirability of reasonable experimentation in the furtherance of the dental
arts.”
To put this in perspective, in order to diagnose dental pathology and do an ade-
quate examination on a new or existing patient, the Dentist must have adequate
dental radiographs, periodontal probings if appropriate and a current medical
history. If during the dental examination pathology is diagnosed, the Dentist
is obligated to tell the patient what the problem is, to explain the treatment op-
tions, explain the risks of providing or not providing the treatment, and answer
questions. e Dentist is also required to document in the patient’s records any
dental pathology that is diagnosed during the examination. When treatment is
provided, the Dentist is expected to have obtained the patient’s informed con-
sent prior to providing the treatment. e Board expects that the treatment is
acceptable; i.e. crowns t appropriately, restorations are not placed over caries,
and that periodontal disease is treated (including home health maintenance
instruction).
Further, Oregon Dentists and Expanded Practice Permit Dental Hygienists
should follow the guidelines established by the American Dental Association
and the Food and Drug Administration.
C C
OREGON BOARD OF DENTISTRY
OREGON BOARD OF DENTISTRY
1500 SW 1ST AVENUE, SUITE #770
PORTLAND, OR 97201
Phone: 971-673-3200
Fax: 971-673-3202
Oregon.gov/dentistry
Email:
Information@oregondentistry.org
