Georgia Board of Dentistry
237 Coliseum Drive
Macon, Georgia 31217
(478) 207-2440 phone
(866) 888-1308 fax
www.sos.ga.gov/plb/dentistry

Update from the Director of the Professional Licensing Boards:
PLB is working diligently to become one of the most technologically advanced licensing agencies in the country.  Throughout this year we have continued to review our business processes and implement technology to increase our performance levels and customer service for our licensees and the general public.

This quarter we have continued to make improvements to the licensure process by implementing the first online applications.  We currently have online applications available for 23 license types with plans to add more throughout the remainder of the year.  There are many advantages to online applications, including ensured completion, decreased paper use, a higher degree of accuracy, and a faster application process. You can visit our website at www.sos.ga.gov/plb to see a complete list of online applications.

Finally, during the third quarter we made significant progress in the outsourcing of the PLB Examination section.  Outsourcing the exam function of PLB allows us to offer more testing locations for some license types, more testing opportunities and overall budget savings for the State of Georgia.  More information will be available in the coming weeks as all outsourcing contracts are finalized.

PLB is committed to continually seeking and implementing initiatives to enable us to provide you with the best service possible.  We look forward to the opportunity to assist you in the very near future.

Regards,
Randy Vaughn
Director of the Professional Licensing Boards

The Georgia Board of Dentistry consists of eleven members: nine licensed dentists, one dental hygienist and one consumer member. The Board carries out its responsibility for protecting the public health in the practice of dentistry by regulating and enforcing the standards of practice. Typically, the Board meets twelve times each year. Board meetings are open to the public, with the exception of executive session, in which confidential matters such as complaints, disciplinary items, and applications are discussed.

Through the Dental Board's licensure process, the Board ensures that those applying for licensure in this state as a dentist or dental hygienist have acceptable education, training, and personal character to safely practice in Georgia. In carrying out its regulatory functions, the Board sets and defines standards to draw the line between safe and dangerous dental practices.

The Georgia Board of Dentistry fulfills its enforcement responsibilities by identifying and sanctioning those who practice below the accepted standards of the profession, or without the necessary qualifications. The Board generally meets once each month.

Minutes from the Board meetings can be found on the Board’s website: www.sos.ga.gov/plb/dentistry.

2009 Meetings:

October 9, 2009 at 9:30 a.m.
November 13, 2009 at 9:30 a.m.
December 4, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. *

* denotes conference call

Board Members:

Steve Holcomb, D.M.D., President
Rebecca Bays Carlon, D.D.S., Vice President
Clyde H. Andrews, D.D.S.
Pamela Bush, RDH
Clark Carroll, D.M.D.
Henry L. Cook Sr., D.D.S.
Isaac Hadley, D.M.D.
Logan “Buzzy” Nalley Jr., D.M.D.
Elaine Richardson, Consumer Member
Barry Stacey, D.M.D.

Board Staff:

Anita Martin
Executive Director
Georgia Board of Dentistry

Number of Active Licensees:

Actions Taken by the Georgia Board of Dentistry in Board Meetings

July: The Board issued a final decision regarding the following individual:
• Dr. Denise Moore-Ebhohiman, Columbus: The order revokes her license effective 30 days from the docketing of the order. 

The Board accepted a public consent order on the following individual:
• Dr. Daniel Edmund Ferman, Newnan: Two years probationary licensure.

The Board adopted rule amendments for the following: 
• 150-5-.05, Requirements for Continuing Education for Dental Hygienists: The rule amendment provides continuing education credit for dental hygienist providing volunteer care to indigent patients in Georgia.     

August: The Board voted to approve 65 applications for licensure as dentists, 113 applications for licensure as dental hygienists, one application for licensure as dental faculty, three applications for general anesthesia permits, two applications for conscious sedation permits, five applications for enteral/inhalation conscious sedation permits and one reinstatement.

September: The Board voted to accept cease and desist orders for the unlicensed practice of dentistry from the following individuals:
• Michelle Smith, Albany
• Rina Timpson, Albany
• Patricia C. Hufham, Lilburn
• Mark McClure, Suwanee
• Lacy Odom, Thomaston

The Board voted to accept consent orders from the following licensees:
• Letisha Edwards, DDS, Decatur: Two years probationary licensure.
• John C. Martin, DMD, Atlanta: Ninety day suspension stayed followed by five years probationary licensure.

Information for Renewal

Please remember that your license to practice dentistry and dental hygiene in the State of Georgia expires December 31, 2009 and must be renewed.  You should be receiving a renewal notice via e-mail not later than mid-October.  You are encouraged to utilize the Board’s on-line license renewal.  The renewal site should be ready to accept renewals by October 15 and can be found at www.sos.ga.gov/plb.   

Also, please remember that you are required to have completed continuing education credits by December 31, 2009 to be eligible to renew your license.  Please see Board Rules 150-3-.09 for dentist and 150-5-.05 for hygienist on the Board’s web site at www.sos.ga.gov/plb/dentistry pertaining to the requirements for continuing education. 

License Renewals:

Licenses expire as follows:
Conscious Sedation Permit – December 31 of odd numbered years
Dental Faculty – December 31 of odd numbered years
Dental Hygiene Faculty – December 31 of odd numbered years
Dental Hygienist – December 31 of odd numbered years
Dentist – December 31 of odd numbered years
Enteral/Inhalation Conscious Sedation – December 31 of odd numbered years
General Anesthesia Permit – December 31 of odd numbered years
Public Health – December 31 of odd numbered years
Volunteer Dental – December 31 of odd numbered years

It is illegal to practice dentistry or dental hygiene with an expired license.

How do I renew my license? 

You may renew your license on the Professional Licensing Board website with a credit card. Click on the “License Renewal” icon and follow the instructions. You will be asked a series of questions including whether you have been convicted or received a board sanction since your last renewal, whether you have completed your continuing education requirements, and whether you are a U.S. citizen. Renewing your license via the website is the fastest way to renew your license.

The Professional Licensing Boards do not mail paper renewals unless requested. A paper renewal form may be requested by the licensee by calling the Board office at (478) 207-2440, or submitting a written request. Licensees may also call our automated system at (404) 463-1100 and request a paper renewal form using their personal identification number included in their renewal notice.

Disciplinary Issues:

The board addresses these issues on a case-by-case basis and takes these matters very seriously, applying sanctions to those who violate the Georgia Board of Dentistry Practice Act, Board rules, and policies. It is important that licensees review all laws, rules and policies that affect their profession. These may be found on the Board’s website at www.sos.ga.gov/plb/dentistry.

All public disciplinary actions will be reflected in the Board minutes which may be found on the Georgia Board of Dentistry website.

Grounds for denial, suspension, revocation of a license, or other disciplinary actions may be found at O.C.G.A. § 43-11-47 or at O.C.G.A. § 43-1-19, which can be found on the Georgia Board of Dentistry website.

Georgia Board of Dentistry Complaints Process Information:

The Georgia General Assembly created the Georgia Board of Dentistry to regulate the licensing and practice of dentistry. The responsibility of administering the laws in O.C.G.A. § 43-11 is given to the Board, whose members are appointed by the Governor. The Board determines if applicants meet licensure requirements, promulgates rules, and considers complaints against licensees and allegations of unlicensed practice. The process for disposing of complaints is as follows:

Complaint Form:

Complaints must be reported to and received by the Board in writing. Written complaints may be submitted to the Board office or on-line at http://sos.georgia.gov/myverification/submitcomplaint.aspx. Documents received in connection with a complaint will not be returned. The complaint must contain sufficient factual evidence indicating a clear violation of Georgia law or Board rules.

Investigations:

The Board gives serious consideration to all complaints. Further investigative action may be taken. Should you file a complaint, you may be contacted by a Board inspector or investigator for additional information. Investigative files are considered confidential for any purpose other than a hearing before the Board. However, the Board is authorized to release such records to another enforcement agency or lawful licensing authority.

Notification Process:

While the investigation is ongoing, the Board is unable to discuss the status of a complaint with anyone, including the complainant. When the Board has completed the case, the complainant will be notified in writing of the Board’s actions. All public disciplinary actions will be reflected in the Board minutes which may be found on the Board’s website.

Grounds for denial, suspension, revocation of a license, or other disciplinary actions may be found at O.C.G.A. § 43-11-47 or at O.C.G.A. § 43-1-19, which can be found on the Georgia Board of Dentistry website.

Frequently Asked Questions:

A list of frequently asked questions may be found on the Board’s website. If you cannot find an answer to your question, you may contact the Board office at (478) 207-2440.