Two pieces of legislation proposed in Maine -- LD 955 and LD 555 -- could create a Dental Adjudicatory Panel to conduct adjudicatory hearings for the Board of Dental Examiners and provide for a review of all complaints filed with the Board of Dental Examiners, respectively.
Complaints about the board's dealings with dentists have surfaced in the past year. Currently, dentists in Maine have no recourse for appealing a board decision through the civil court system. LD 955 would provide a degree of recourse. The Dental Adjudicatory Panel would be required to utilize the Maine Rules of Evidence, and existing board members would not be allowed to serve on the panel in proceedings where licensees are appealing a ruling by the board.
LD 955 would also change the way licenses are revoked in the state. Prior to filing a complaint in the district court to suspend or revoke a license, the board would be required to inform the licensee of the reasons for the removal of his or her license. The licensee would then have an opportunity to have an "informal conference" with the board.
LD 555 would create a system whereby a review panel of three board members has the power, with a unanimous vote, to dismiss complaints lacking merit or that are outside of the board's jurisdiction. Other complaints would fall under the jurisdiction of the full board.
The date when the two bills will be voted on has yet to be announced.
