Why You Should Appear
Even though there are very few cases that result in any sort of serious discipline, there are still a number of reasons why you should attend the board’s discussion of your case in person. First, even if you provided clear and thorough evidence to explain the initial complaint that you were advised of, there may be more to discuss based on the investigation. If the investigator has come across anything else that concerned the investigator during the course of the investigation, you will want the chance to hear and respond to the information.
Additionally, the appearance is your chance to see exactly what evidence the investigator has and what regulations you are claimed to have violated. This is the information you will need to help prepare your expert witness should your case proceed to a formal hearing. You also get a chance to see the board’s reaction to the facts that are presented and get an idea of how they feel about your case. If there is any disagreement on the board about whether a violation occurred or if there is a dispute about an appropriate sanction for any such violation, this will help you and your attorney to decide how you will respond to any offered discipline or whether to request a formal hearing.
Another great reason to attend is that sometimes board investigators get it wrong or make a mistake. If an investigator presents obviously wrong information in their report, your appearance is an opportunity to set the record straight. However, be sure to check with your legal counsel to ensure that doing so is the right move.
Finally, another reason why many dentists choose to attend the board meeting where their case is being discussed is because they don’t have to sit around and wait to hear what happened at the meeting. If the board chooses not to open a formal case, even if you feel you didn’t need to attend the meeting, at least you knew as soon as was possible that you had nothing to worry about.
Summary For The Dental Board and Disciplinary Action
At the end of the day, it is always better to be over-prepared than under prepared. If you prepare with your attorney, attend the meeting, and no formal case is opened, you are out a little bit of time and money. On the other hand, if you fail to appear for a meeting because you assume it is a minor issue, and it turns out the investigator and the board think its more serious, you have put yourself and your license at a major disadvantage as you move forward in the board discipline process by not attending. Work with an experienced attorney and have the peace of mind that you have all your bases covered.