The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners prosecutes cases of misconduct more weakly than the Texas Medical Board, according to a study by the Austin American-Statesman.
Reviewing disciplinary records, the newspaper reported that the dental board was "less likely to take disciplinary action, slower to act, and far less likely to impose the most severe sanction, loss of a license, than the state medical board."
Of the board's 158 disciplinary actions since January 2007, "51, or nearly a third, were fully probated suspensions, and 65 were warnings," the paper found. "Rarely is a suspended dentist ordered away from the workplace." The board regulates 15,950 dentists, more than 33,000 hygienists and registered assistants, and 1,083 laboratories, according to the article.
The American-Statesman cited cases of dentists whose licenses were revoked in other states, but who were allowed to practice in Texas.
Since January 2007, the Texas Medical Board, which oversees about 62,000 physicians and 7,000 other medical workers, has disciplined 1,007 license holders, including suspensions of 56 physicians, all but three of whom were ordered to stop practicing for a period of time, the paper reported.
Suspensions by the Texas Medical Board were more likely to require monitoring by another physician, visits to a psychiatrist, and a proof of fitness to return to practice, according to the paper. The dental board more often orders fines, classes, and adherence to court requirements, and it makes treatment referrals in drug cases.
State audits had repeatedly found fault with the dental board, and another audit is expected soon, the paper reported.
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