It is the duty of the board to examine (or cause to be examined) all qualified applicants for a license to practice dentistry or dental hygiene or who desire to be registered as dental technicians in this State. No examination is required to be registered as an orthodontic technician. Prior to admittance to the examination or the registration of an orthodontic technician, each applicant shall produce evidence satisfactory to the board that he possesses good moral character. If the board refuses an applicant admission to the examination or registration as an orthodontic technician because of unsuitable moral character the board shall notify the applicant in writing and set forth in detail the reason supporting the board's decision. An applicant who holds a license or certificate from any jurisdiction shall certify that he has not violated any of the provisions of the Dental Practice Act governing his prior license or practice or operation. In addition, each applicant shall present the following:

(a) in the case of applicants to practice dentistry or dental hygiene, satisfactory evidence of graduation from a dental college or school of dental hygiene, respectively, accredited by the Commission.

(b) in the case of applicants who desire to be registered as dental technicians, a high school diploma, or its equivalent, and satisfactory evidence of successful completion of a full two-year course of study in a school for dental technological work acceptable to the board, or in lieu of the dental school program, the applicant must have performed dental technological work under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist or registered dental technician for a period of at least three years.

The application must be received by the board not less than forty-five days before the examination date. An application for registration as an orthodontic technician may be submitted at any time. Each applicant shall pay to the board a fee as prescribed by it by rules and regulations. Each applicant must satisfactorily pass the examination prepared by the board on subjects and operations pertaining to dentistry that are regularly taught in such accredited schools. The examination must be given either orally or in writing, or by requiring a practical demonstration of the applicant's skill, or by any combination of such methods as the board may in its discretion require. The board shall grade each examination and inform the applicant of the result within a reasonable time after the date thereof. The board shall issue a numbered license to each person who passes the dental or dental hygiene examination and a numbered certificate to each person who passes the dental technician examination and to each applicant to be registered as an orthodontic technician. All examination papers must be retained by the board for two years and upon request be available for inspection by a person examined.

Dentists and dental hygienists, and dental technicians who are validly licensed or registered in this State as of April 13, 1968, are exempt from reexamination except in instances where application for relicensing or reregistration is made following a period of suspension or revocation of a license or registration certificate, in which instances reexamination is discretionary with the board.

Dental examinations must be given annually by the board and dental hygienist and dental technician examinations must be given semiannually by the board.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 56-636.14; 1952 Code Sections 56-534 to 56-537, 56-551, 56-627, 56-628, 56-631; 1942 Code Sections 5198 to 5200; 1932 Code Sections 5198 to 5200; 1922 (32) 844; 1943 (43) 323; 1946 (44) 2569; 1956 (49) 1841; 1966 (54) 2672; 1968 (55) 2502; 1981 Act No. 117, Section 4; 1986 Act No. 363, Section 7; 1987 Act No. 182 Section 1.