OAR 818-021-0026: State and Nationwide Criminal Background Checks, Fitness Determinations

(1) The Board requires fingerprints of all applicants for a dental, dental therapy or dental hygiene license to determine the fitness of an applicant. The purpose of this rule is to provide for the reasonable screening of dental and dental hygiene applicants and licensees in order to determine if they have a history of criminal behavior such that they are not fit to be granted or hold a license that is issued by the Board. (2) These rules are to be applied when evaluating the criminal history of all licensees and applicants for a dental, dental therapy or dental hygiene license and for conducting fitness determinations consistent with the outcomes provided in OAR 125-007-0260. (3) Criminal records checks and fitness determinations are conducted according to ORS 181A.170 to 181A.215, ORS 670.280 and OAR 125-007-0200 to 127-007-0310. (a) The Board will request the Oregon Department of State Police to conduct a state and nationwide criminal records check. Any original fingerprint cards will subsequently destroyed. (b) All background checks must include available state and national data, unless obtaining one or the other is an acceptable alternative. (c) The applicant or licensee must disclose all arrests, charges, and convictions regardless of the outcome or date of occurrence. Disclosure includes but is not limited to military, dismissed or set aside criminal records. (4) If the applicant or licensee has potentially disqualifying criminal offender information, the Board will consider the following factors in making a fitness determination: (a) The nature of the crime; (b) The facts that support the conviction or pending indictment or that indicates the making of the false statement; (c) The relevancy, if any, of the crime or the false statement to the specific requirements of the subject individual ’ s present or proposed position, services, employment, license, or permit; and (d) Intervening circumstances relevant to the responsibilities and circumstances of the position, services, employment, license, or permit. Intervening circumstances include but are not limited to: (A) The passage of time since the commission of the crime; (B) The age of the subject individual at the time of the crime; (C) The likelihood of a repetition of offenses or of the commission of another crime: (D) The subsequent commission of another relevant crime; (E) Whether the conviction was set aside and the legal effect of setting aside the conviction; and (F) A recommendation of an employer. (e) Any false statements or omissions made by the applicant or licensee; and (f) Any other pertinent information obtained as part of an investigation. (5) The Board will make a fitness determination consistent with the outcomes provided in OAR 125-007-0260. (a) A fitness determination approval does not guarantee the granting or renewal of a license. (b) An incomplete fitness determination results if the applicant or licensee refuses to consent to the criminal history check, refuses to be fingerprinted or respond to written correspondence, or discontinues the criminal records process for any reason. Incomplete fitness determinations may not be appealed. (6) The Board may require fingerprints of any licensed Oregon dentist, dental therapist or dental hygienist, who is the subject of a complaint or investigation for the purpose of requesting a state or nationwide criminal records background check. (7) All background checks shall be requested to include available state and national data, unless obtaining one or the other is an acceptable alternative. (8) Additional information required. In order to conduct the Oregon and National Criminal History Check and fitness determination, the Board may require additional information from the licensee/applicant as necessary, such but not limited to, proof of identity; residential history; names used while living at each residence; or additional criminal, judicial or other background information. (9) Criminal offender information is confidential. Dissemination of information received may be disseminated only to people with a demonstrated and legitimate need to know the information. The information is part of the investigation of an applicant or licensee and as such is confidential pursuant to ORS 676.175(1). (10) The Board will permit the individual for whom a fingerprint-based criminal records check was conducted, to inspect the individual ’ s own state and national criminal offender records and, if requested by the individual, provide the individual with a copy of the individual ’ s own state and national criminal offender records. (11) The Board shall determine whether an individual is fit to be granted a license or permit, based on fitness determinations, on any false statements made by the individual regarding criminal history of the individual, or any refusal to submit or consent to a criminal records check including fingerprint identification, and any other pertinent information obtained as a part of an investigation. If an individual is determined to be unfit, then the individual may not be granted a license or permit. The Board may make fitness determinations conditional upon applicant ’ s acceptance of probation, conditions, or limitations, or other restrictions upon licensure. (12) An applicant or licensee may appeal a final fitness determination pursuant to OAR 125-007-0300. Challenges to the accuracy of completeness of criminal history information must be made in accordance with OAR 125-007-0030(7).