Discipline, Grounds for License Denial or Revocation, and Reporting Obligations
What the exam tests
This domain tests the grounds for discipline, the disciplinary process, and the licensee’s duty to report certain conduct or conditions. Questions often ask what a hygienist must do after witnessing a problem.
Core rules
- Grounds for denial, suspension, or revocation include fraud or misrepresentation in licensure, gross negligence, unprofessional conduct, practicing outside scope, aiding unlicensed practice, substance impairment, and certain criminal convictions.
- The Department may investigate complaints, issue a complaint, hold a hearing, and impose sanctions such as reprimand, probation, suspension, or revocation.
- Mandated reporting includes suspected child abuse or neglect and elder abuse or neglect under Illinois law; other reporting duties arise from the Dental Practice Act and Department rules.
- Licensees must cooperate with Department investigations and respond accurately; false statements can themselves be grounds for discipline.
Worked example
A hygienist sees a colleague arrive impaired and prepare to treat patients. The immediate duty is patient safety: prevent treatment and report through the appropriate channel. The hygienist should not ignore the behavior because of friendship or fear of retaliation. Reporting an impaired practitioner is protected when done in good faith under the applicable reporting framework.
Traps
- Assuming only criminal conduct can lead to discipline.
- Failing to report suspected child or elder abuse because a dentist says he will handle it.
- Retaliating against a reporter.
- Giving inaccurate or incomplete information to an investigator.