A. 1. On or before the last day of December of each year, every dentist, dental hygienist, dental assistant, oral maxillofacial surgery assistant and other licensee or permit holders previously licensed or permitted by the Board to practice in this state, with the exception of those listed in paragraph 2 of this subsection, shall submit a completed renewal application with information as may be required by the Board, together with an annual renewal fee established by the rules of the Board. Upon receipt of the annual renewal fee, the Board shall issue a renewal certificate authorizing the dentist, dental hygienist, dental assistant, or oral maxillofacial surgery assistant to continue the practice of dentistry or dental hygiene, respectively, in this state for a period of one (1) year. Every license or permit issued by the Board shall begin on January 1 and expire on December 31 of each year.

2. Beginning July 1, 2017, resident and fellowship permits shall be valid from July 1 through June 30 of each year and dental student intern permits shall be valid from August 1 through July 31 of each year.

B. Continuing education requirements shall be due at the end of each three-year period ending in 2019 as follows:

1. Beginning July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2021, continuing education requirements shall be due at the end of each two-year period as follows:

a.dentists shall complete forty (40) hours, including a one-time two-hour opioid and scheduled drug prescribing class,

b.hygienists shall complete twenty (20) hours,

c.oral maxillofacial surgery assistants shall complete eight (8) hours,

d.dental assistants shall have two (2) hours of infection control, and

e.any newly licensed dentist shall complete a two-hour opioid and scheduled drug prescribing class within one (1) year of obtaining licensure;

2. Any newly licensed dentist shall complete a two-hour opioid and scheduled drug prescribing class within one (1) year of obtaining licensure; and

3. Beginning in 2020, continuing education requirements shall be due at the end of each two-year period as follows:

a.dentists shall complete forty (40) hours, including a one-time, two-hour opioid and scheduled drug prescribing class,

b.hygienists shall complete twenty (20) hours,

c.OMS assistants shall complete eight (8) hours, and

d.dental assistants shall have two (2) hours of infection control.

C. Upon failure of a dentist, dental hygienist, dental assistant, or oral maxillofacial surgery assistant to pay the annual renewal fee within two (2) months after January 1, the Board shall notify the dentist, dental hygienist, dental assistant, or oral maxillofacial surgery assistant in writing by certified mail to the last-known mailing address of the dentist, dental hygienist, dental assistant, or oral maxillofacial surgery assistant as reflected in the records of the Board.

D. Any dentist, dental hygienist, dental assistant, or oral maxillofacial surgery assistant whose license or permit is automatically canceled by reason of failure, neglect or refusal to secure the renewal certificate may be reinstated by the Board at any time within one (1) year from the date of the expiration of the license, upon payment of the annual renewal fee and a penalty fee established by the rules of the Board. If the dentist, dental hygienist, dental assistant, or oral maxillofacial surgery assistant does not apply for renewal of the license or permit and pay the required fees within one (1) year after the license has expired, then the dentist, dental hygienist, dental assistant, or oral maxillofacial surgery assistant shall be required to file an application for and take the examination or other requirements provided for in the State Dental Act or the rules promulgated by the Board before again commencing practice.

E. The Board, by rule, shall provide for the remittance of fees otherwise required by the State Dental Act while a dentist or dental hygienist is on active duty with any of the Armed Forces of the United States.

F. In case of a lost or destroyed license or renewal certificate and upon satisfactory proof of the loss or destruction thereof, the Board may issue a duplicate, charging therefor a fee established by the rules of the Board.

G. A dentist, dental hygienist, oral maxillofacial surgery assistant or dental assistant that is in good standing and not under investigation that notifies the Board in writing of a voluntary nonrenewal of license or requests retirement status shall have a right to renew or reinstate his or her license within five (5) years from the date of notice. The Board may require any training or continuing education requirements to be met prior to reinstatement.

H. A dentist, dental hygienist, oral maxillofacial dental assistant or dental assistant that has not had an active license or permit in excess of five (5) years shall be required to apply as a new applicant.

I. Any application for a license or permit that has remained inactive for more than one (1) year shall be closed.

Added by Laws 1970, c. 173, § 41, eff. July 1, 1970. Amended by Laws 1999, c. 280, § 10, eff. Nov. 1, 1999; Laws 2003, c. 172, § 6, emerg. eff. May 5, 2003; Laws 2012, c. 270, § 9, eff. Nov. 1, 2012; Laws 2013, c. 405, § 15, eff. July 1, 2013; Laws 2015, c. 229, § 22, eff. July 1, 2015; Laws 2017, c. 302, § 6, emerg. eff. May 17, 2017; Laws 2018, c. 151, § 11, eff. Nov. 1, 2018; Laws 2019, c. 397, § 9.