NM Dental Jurisprudence key terms

The New Mexico state agency that licenses dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants, adopts practice rules, and hears disciplinary cases against licensees.

The New Mexico statute that defines who may practice dentistry, establishes the Board, sets licensing requirements, and authorizes discipline for violations.

The legally permitted range of duties and procedures a licensee may perform, determined by statute, Board rules, and the license level held.

Performing acts reserved to licensed dental professionals without holding a valid New Mexico license; it is a statutory violation subject to civil or criminal penalties.

The categories of oversight a dentist provides to hygienists and assistants, such as direct, indirect, or general supervision, each defined by Board rule.

A level of oversight in which the dentist is physically present in the office, has evaluated the patient, and is available to examine the patient during treatment.

Oversight in which the dentist has authorized the procedure and is available for consultation, but need not be physically present while it is performed.

An arrangement, where authorized by rule, allowing a hygienist to treat patients without a dentist on site under a written agreement with a supervising dentist.

A licensee trained and licensed to provide preventive services such as prophylaxis, scaling, and patient education, subject to supervision or collaboration rules.

An auxiliary dental worker who performs chairside and expanded duties permitted by Board rule, always under the supervision of a licensed dentist.

The standard route to a New Mexico dental license, requiring graduation from an accredited program and passing accepted clinical and written examinations.

The periodic process by which a licensee pays fees and demonstrates continuing education and other requirements to keep an active New Mexico license.

The minimum number of approved education hours a licensee must complete during each renewal cycle, including any mandated topic-specific hours.

A license that has expired because renewal requirements were not met; practicing on a lapsed license is unlicensed practice and grounds for discipline.

A status a licensee may elect that preserves the license record but bars practice until the licensee applies for reinstatement and meets current requirements.

The process of restoring a lapsed, revoked, or inactive license after the applicant proves fitness and satisfies conditions the Board imposes.

The documentation a license applicant submits, such as transcripts, examination scores, and verification of prior licenses, to prove eligibility.

Any person holding a current New Mexico dental license and therefore bound by the Dental Practice Act, Board rules, and the Board's disciplinary authority.

A formal Board charging document that states the alleged violations and the proposed discipline, and triggers the licensee's right to a hearing.

A contested-case proceeding before the Board or a hearing officer where evidence is presented and the licensee may be represented by counsel.

The constitutional guarantee that a licensee receives fair notice of the charges and a meaningful opportunity to respond before discipline is imposed.

The written factual determinations a hearing officer or the Board makes after weighing evidence, which support the legal conclusions and the sanction imposed.

The Board's legal determinations applying statutes and rules to the established facts, stating which violations occurred and what discipline follows.

A negotiated settlement in which the licensee accepts specified discipline and waives hearing rights, subject to Board approval and public filing.

The penalty the Board imposes for a violation, ranging from a reprimand or fine to suspension, revocation, or conditions on practice.

A disciplinary status in which the licensee may keep practicing but must satisfy conditions such as monitoring, audits, or restricted duties for a set period.

The most severe Board sanction, permanently withdrawing the license, though the former licensee may later petition for reinstatement under Board rules.

A sanction that temporarily removes the licensee's authority to practice for a defined period or until stated conditions are met.

An emergency action suspending a license before a full hearing when continued practice poses an immediate risk to public health or safety.

A monetary fine the Board may assess for violations in addition to or instead of other discipline, collected through administrative enforcement.

A Board directive requiring a person or entity to stop unlicensed or prohibited activity, enforceable in court if ignored.

A court order sought by the Board or another party to compel or prohibit conduct, often used to stop ongoing unlicensed practice.

The statutory list of conduct that justifies Board action, such as fraud, incompetence, impairment, or violation of Board rules.

Documents the Board must disclose on request under New Mexico's inspection law, subject to stated exceptions such as protected personal information.

The New Mexico statute giving the public the right to inspect and copy government records, including Board licensing and disciplinary files, within set deadlines.

The designated Board official responsible for receiving public records requests, responding within statutory time limits, and asserting any lawful exceptions.

The legal duty to protect certain patient and licensee information from disclosure, which limits but does not eliminate public access to Board records.

The New Mexico statute requiring the Board to give public notice of meetings, deliberate openly, and record votes, with narrow exceptions for closed sessions.

A nonpublic portion of a Board meeting permitted only for limited matters such as certain legal advice or deliberations expressly allowed by statute.

The Board's authority to adopt administrative rules that implement the Dental Practice Act, following the state's uniform rule adoption procedures.