(a)

(1) The dentist members of the board may be appointed by the governor from lists of qualified nominees submitted by interested dentist groups including, but not limited to, the Tennessee Dental Association. No person is eligible for appointment as a dentist member of the board unless such person has been an actual and bona fide resident and a legally licensed practicing dentist of this state for a period of five (5) years or more immediately preceding such appointment.

(2) The dental hygienist members may be appointed by the governor from lists of qualified nominees submitted by interested dental hygienist groups including, but not limited to, the Tennessee Dental Hygienists Association. No person is eligible for appointment as a dental hygienist member of the board unless that person has been an actual and bona fide resident and a legally licensed practicing dental hygienist of this state for a period of five (5) years or more immediately preceding such appointment.

(3) The dental assistant member may be appointed by the governor from lists of qualified nominees submitted by interested dental assistant groups including, but not limited to, the Tennessee Dental Assistants' Association. No person is eligible for appointment as a dental assistant member of the board unless that person has been an actual and bona fide resident and has been a legally registered and practicing dental assistant of this state for a period of five (5) years or more immediately preceding such appointment.

(b) The governor shall consult with interested dental groups, including, but not limited to, the Tennessee Dental Association, the Tennessee Dental Hygienists Association and the Tennessee Dental Assistants' Association to determine qualified persons to fill the positions as provided in subsection (a).

(c) The terms of members of the board are three (3) years, with the terms staggered so that the terms of no more than three (3) members expire each year. No member is eligible to serve on the board for more than three (3) consecutive full terms, but any person thus ineligible shall thereafter be eligible for nomination and appointment to the board, as provided in this section, after three (3) years have elapsed since that person's previous service on the board.

(d)

(1) The governor shall make appointments to the board not later than one (1) month after the expiration of the term of office of any member and such or further delay in the appointment shall be deducted from the term of the appointment. All vacancies occurring in the board by such reasons as death or resignation shall be filled by the governor for the unexpired term from lists submitted to the governor as provided in this section. If such vacancy is not filled within thirty (30) days by the governor, the board itself shall fill such vacancy for the unexpired term. No person is eligible to appointment to the board who is regularly employed by or is a member of the governing body of any dental school, college or dental department of any university or any school of dental hygiene or dental assisting or with any dental supply business or dental laboratory.

(2) In making appointments to the board, the governor shall strive to ensure that at least one (1) person serving on the board is sixty (60) years of age or older and that at least one (1) person serving on the board is a member of a racial minority.

(e) Members of the board shall continue in office until the expiration of the terms for which they were respectively appointed and until such time as their successors have been duly appointed.

(f)

(1) A member of the board may be removed upon one (1) or more of the following grounds:

(A) The refusal or inability for any reason of a board member to perform that member's duties as a member of the board in an efficient, responsible and professional manner;

(B) The misuse of office by a member of the board to obtain personal, pecuniary or material gain or advantage for that member or another through such office; or

(C) The violation of this chapter or of any of the rules and regulations of the board hereafter properly promulgated.

(2) The proceedings for such removal shall be in accordance with title 8, chapter 47.