<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".14" citation="COMAR 10.44.22.14" title_num="10" subtitle_num="44" chapter_num="22" heading="Audit of Continuing Education Records.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>A dentist or dental hygienist who has completed the continuing education requirements shall attest to the completion on a form supplied by the Board as part of the application for license renewal, reinstatement, or reactivation.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The Board may request verification of compliance with this chapter through inspection of continuing education records maintained by licensees in accordance with Regulation .03A of this chapter.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Except as provided in this regulation, the Board shall audit a percentage of dentists and dental hygienists, selected by the Board for each renewal cycle.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>A licensee who receives notice of a continuing education audit shall verify compliance with this chapter by the date specified in the notice and submit to the Board a report of the continuing education hours required for renewal on a form approved by the Board along with the appropriate documentation.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Documentation. A dentist or dental hygienist shall provide to the Board:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A certificate of completion for approved courses or programs;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Current CPR certification as specified under Regulation .04 of this chapter;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>If applicable, proof of Board-approved pro bono dental or dental hygiene services provided; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>If a certificate of completion is not available, satisfactory proof of time spent preparing and presenting table clinics, lectures, articles for publications in dental or medical journals, or attending study clubs, or other meetings involved with performing clinical dentistry.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>A dentist or a dental hygienist may request an extension of time to comply with the requirements of this chapter.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>A request for an extension of time under §F of this regulation shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Be made in writing;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Detail and document the reasons the licensee was not able to complete the continuing education requirements within the allotted time; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Provide a period of time requested by the licensee to complete the required continuing education.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>The grant of an extension and the period of the extension is within the sole discretion of the Board.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="I.">
    <text>A dentist or dental hygienist who requests and is granted an extension of time by the Board shall be audited at the next renewal cycle.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="J.">
    <text>A dentist or dental hygienist granted an extension of time shall attest to completion of continuing education requirements by the end of the extension period.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="K.">
    <text>Failure to submit the required attestation or failure to meet continuing education requirements by the end of the extension period may subject the licensee to disciplinary action.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="L.">
    <text>The Board’s staff shall conduct a preliminary review and evaluation of the documentation submitted to the Board and report their findings to the Board.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="M.">
    <text>After the Board’s review of the submitted documentation, the Board may find one or both of the following:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>That the dentist or dental hygienist has not met the Board’s continuing education requirements; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>That the dentist or dental hygienist has submitted courses or programs that have not been Board-approved.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="N.">
    <text>The Board may require a dentist or a dental hygienist who has not met the Board’s continuing education requirements or who has submitted courses or programs that have not been Board-approved to take additional continuing education courses or programs in order to meet the Board’s continuing education requirements.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="O.">
    <text>Penalties for Violation.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A false, misleading, or deceptive statement on a renewal, reinstatement, or reactivation form may constitute unprofessional conduct and may result in disciplinary action against the licensee as set forth in Health Occupations Article, §4-315, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Failure to complete continuing education requirements within the time period specified under Regulation .05 of this chapter or any applicable extension constitutes unprofessional conduct and may result in disciplinary action against the licensee as set forth in Health Occupations Article, §4-315, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>