Discipline, enforcement, and licensee obligations to the Board
Grounds and process
The Board may discipline a hygienist for fraud in licensure, practicing beyond scope, gross malpractice, unprofessional conduct, impairment, felony conviction, failure to meet CE, or aiding unlicensed practice. Discipline ranges from reprimand and probation to suspension, revocation, and civil penalties. The Board investigates complaints, may seek an interim suspension where public safety requires it, and decides contested cases under Chapter 150B; judicial review lies to Superior Court.
Licensee obligations
Licensees must keep the Board informed of address and name changes, report certain convictions and disciplinary actions, cooperate with investigations, and maintain patient records. Failure to report can itself be a violation. The Board expects honesty on renewal forms and prompt response to Board inquiries.
Worked example
A hygienist is charged with a DWI and pleads guilty, but does not tell the Board and renews as if nothing happened. The conviction may be a disciplinary ground, and the false renewal answer is a separate one. The hygienist should report as required and respond to the Board; concealment typically aggravates the sanction.
Traps
- Assuming only patient-care errors trigger discipline; administrative dishonesty counts.
- Ignoring Board correspondence.
- Treating a lapsed license as a minor billing issue.
- Confusing the Board's confidentiality with a license to withhold required reports.