OAR 818-012-0030: Unprofessional Conduct

The Board finds that in addition to the conduct set forth in ORS 679.140(2), unprofessional conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following in which a licensee does or knowingly permits any person to: (1) Attempt to obtain a fee by fraud, or misrepresentation. (2) Obtain a fee by fraud, or misrepresentation. (a) A licensee obtains a fee by fraud if the licensee knowingly makes, or permits any person to make, a material, false statement intending that a recipient, who is unaware of the truth, rely upon the statement. (b) A licensee obtains a fee by misrepresentation if the licensee obtains a fee through making or permitting any person to make a material, false statement. (c) Giving cash discounts and not disclosing them to third party payers is not fraud or misrepresentation. (3) Offer rebates, split fees, or commissions for services rendered to a patient to any person other than a partner, employee, or employer. (4) Accept rebates, split fees, or commissions for services rendered to a patient from any person other than a partner, employee, or employer. (5) Initiate, or engage in, with a patient, any behavior with sexual connotations. The behavior can include but is not limited to, inappropriate physical touching; kissing of a sexual nature; gestures or expressions, any of which are sexualized or sexually demeaning to a patient; inappropriate procedures, including, but not limited to, disrobing and draping practices that reflect a lack of respect for the patient's privacy; or initiating inappropriate communication, verbal or written, including, but not limited to, references to a patient's body or clothing that are sexualized or sexually demeaning to a patient; and inappropriate comments or queries about the professional's or patient's sexual orientation, sexual performance, sexual fantasies, sexual problems, or sexual preferences. (6) Engage in an unlawful trade practice as defined in ORS 646.605 to 646.608. (7) Fail to present a treatment plan with estimated costs to a patient upon request of the patient or to a patient's guardian upon request of the patient's guardian. (8) Misrepresent any facts to a patient concerning treatment or fees. (9) Fail to release patient records pursuant to OAR 818-012-0032. (10) Fail to identify to a patient, patient's guardian, or the Board the name of an employee, employer, contractor, or agent who renders services. (11) Use prescription forms pre-printed with any Drug Enforcement Administration number, name of controlled substances, or facsimile of a signature. (12) Use a rubber stamp or like device to reproduce a signature on a prescription form or sign a blank prescription form. (13) Order drugs listed on Schedule II of the Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act, 21 U.S.C. Sec. 812, for office use on a prescription form. (14) Violate any Federal or State law regarding controlled substances. (15) Becomes addicted to, or dependent upon, or abuses alcohol, illegal or controlled drugs, or mind altering substances, or practice with an untreated substance use disorder diagnosis that renders the licensee unable to safely conduct the practice of dentistry, dental hygiene or dental therapy. (16) Practice dentistry, dental hygiene or dental therapy in a dental office or clinic not owned by an Oregon licensed dentist(s), except for an entity described under ORS 679.020(3) and dental hygienists practicing pursuant to ORS 680.205(1)(2). (17) Make an agreement with a patient or person, or any person or entity representing patients or persons, or provide any form of consideration that would prohibit, restrict, discourage or otherwise limit a person's ability to file a complaint with the Oregon Board of Dentistry; to truthfully and fully answer any questions posed by an agent or representative of the Board; or to participate as a witness in a Board proceeding. (18) Fail to maintain at a minimum a current BLS for Healthcare Providers certificate or its equivalent. (19) Conduct unbecoming a licensee or detrimental to the best interests of the public, including conduct contrary to the recognized standards of ethics of the licensee’s profession or conduct that endangers the health, safety or welfare of a patient or the public. (20) Knowingly deceiving or attempting to deceive the Board, an employee of the Board, or an agent of the Board in any application or renewal, or in reference to any matter under investigation by the Board. This includes but is not limited to the omission, alteration or destruction of any record in order to obstruct or delay an investigation by the Board, or to omit, alter or falsify any information in patient or business records. (21) Knowingly practicing with a physical or mental impairment that renders the Licensee unable to safely conduct the practice of dentistry, dental hygiene or dental therapy. (22) Take any action which could reasonably be interpreted to constitute harassment or retaliation towards a person whom the licensee believes to be a complainant or witness. (23) Fail to register with the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) in order to have access to the Program’s electronic system if the Licensee holds a Federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration. (24) Fail to comply with ORS 413.550-413.558, regarding health care interpreters.