Mary Beth Finn

The Board discussed various administrative matters including the approval of the annual newsletter, continuing education requirements, and the adoption of remediation programs for hygienists. Key business topics included appointments to the board attorney sub-committee, discussions on the General Counsel position, and approvals for upcoming events. The Board addressed dental and dental hygiene license applications, reviewed various legal and enforcement cases, and conducted an executive session to discuss a licensee. Furthermore, the meeting involved discussions on legislative updates, the development of policies for settlement agreements, and the management of pending litigation.

The board discussed and addressed several professional and administrative items. Key topics included the review of student status in the ADHP program, the approval of the NAPS event, and the issuance of a Special Volunteer License. Additionally, the board approved continuing education courses, finalized a job description for the board attorney, and authorized the distribution of a licensee survey. A significant portion of the session was dedicated to a work session on drafting DPA and Board Rule changes, including discussions on license renewal frequencies, board election guidelines, supervision levels for hygienists and assistants, and modernization of record retention and electronic records standards.

The meeting included discussions on Hepatitis B requirements for program applications and clinical activities, leading to policy updates. The Board also reviewed licensure applications for dental and dental hygiene professionals, authorized the interim executive director position to be full-time, and approved various personnel matters and committee reports. Additionally, the Board addressed inquiries regarding locum tenens coverage, initiated research into rule changes for dental assistants regarding whitening agents and IV assistants, and conducted reviews of multiple enforcement cases, including those with non-disciplinary fines or administrative closures. A town hall meeting was also noted, covering topics such as continuing education modalities and dental assistant duties.

The primary Board Meeting on January 9, 2026, addressed several agenda items. The Board adopted the modified agenda, which included moving the public comments section to an earlier slot and scheduling the April meeting for April 17th. Key discussion points involved reports from the President (including the ADPH Strategic Plan 2024-2026 and SCPH December report), Special Reports (Wellness, Legislative, and Anesthesia Committees), and Board Member Reports (proposing a Dental Hygiene Advisory Committee and reviewing Continuing Education rules). Under Unfinished Business, the Board voted on several proposed rule amendments: approving Rule 270-X-3-.10 with a change regarding supervision for coronal polishing, removing Moderate Sedation from Rule 270-X-2-.17, and approving Rule 270-X-2-.20 without changes. The Board also approved travel expenses for Mr. Youngblood and voted to create a rule for reinstating licenses for dentists/hygienists with practice lapses. New Business included approving reinstatement procedures for sedation permits that lapsed, approving CE Course Approvals, and approving a Town Hall Meeting during Alumni Weekend. Finally, the Board approved applications for Dental Licensure by Credentials and by Regional Exam, contingent upon successful completion of the jurisprudence exam. Enforcement matters included discussing negotiated settlements.

Key discussions and actions during the meeting included the swearing-in of the new Hygiene Board Member, Kelley Perry, RDH. Reports were presented by the President, Special Reports (Wellness and Legislative), and the Executive Director. Unfinished business involved discussion on the public comments policy, sentencing guidelines, Hepatitis B immunization documentation for certain applicants, and the handling of an ethics complaint. New business addressed X-ray copy standards for complaints, supervision documentation for hygienist license renewals, CE Course Approvals, appointments to the ADEX Examination Council, and a discussion regarding a rule change for out-of-state pro bono work for CE credit. The Board also addressed the Smile Direct FTC Annual Compliance Report and accepted the resignation of the Executive Director. Licensing actions included approvals for Dental and Dental Hygiene license applications. Enforcement activities resulted in several cases being dismissed due to a lack of evidence, while others were set for hearing or settled with administrative fines. The Board also decided to hold the May meeting in Florence, Alabama.