Becoming a dental hygienist in Arkansas can be a rewarding way to serve your community.
Dental hygienists are licensed professionals who provide key services to their patients and act as a great resource for better oral health. In fact, hygienists do much more than clean teeth—they can also conduct x-rays, oversee preventive care, and provide local anesthesia. This makes your dental hygienist license an important piece of your path to success.
It also means that knowing how to defend that license against allegations of wrongdoing is crucial to your continued ability to grow and thrive.
The Professional License Defense Team at the LLF National Law Firm can help you with that defense. We have spent many years advocating for dental professionals and know how to navigate disciplinary actions that threaten your professional license. If you’re facing complaints of professional misconduct, we can help you present your best defense. Call us today at (888) 535-3686 or use our online form to schedule a consultation.
Who Regulates Dental Hygienists in Arkansas?
The state’s Board of Dental Examiners (Board or ASBDE) governs all licensed dental professionals in Arkansas. This includes:
- Dentists
- Dental Hygienists
- Dental Assistants
Part of Arkansas’ Department of Health, this Board is completely self-sufficient and oversees every aspect of the dental practice, from setting rules and procedures to licensing, credential verification, and disciplinary actions. Any fees, fines, or other processes associated with a dental practice in Arkansas are handled by this board, as set out in the state’s Dental Practice Act (DPA).
What Actions Can Put Your Dental Hygienist License at Risk in Arkansas?
The DPA gives the ASBDE broad authority when it comes to setting the standard of care for dental professionals. In fact, under Rules and Regulations in the DPA, it states that the Board:
“…shall impose requirements and restrictions on the performance thereof by dental hygienists and dental assistants as it shall deem proper and necessary to protect and promote the public health and welfare of the citizens of this state.”
This ‘all-inclusive’ language ensures that the Board can regulate the dental profession as they see fit and enforce a level of professionalism that inspires trust among the Arkansas communities.
Some of the allegations that can put your dental hygienist license at risk include:
- Habitual intemperance (including drunkenness, debauchery, and lack of self-control)
- Gross immorality
- A willful betrayal of professional secrets
- False or deceptive advertising
- Aiding or abetting an unlicensed person in the practice of dentistry
- Conviction of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude
- Incompetency
- Patient abandonment
- Gross negligence
- Sexual misconduct
- Immoral, dishonorable, or scandalous conduct
- Addiction to narcotics
- The violation of any rule or regulation of the board’s standards of professional conduct for dentists and dental hygienists practicing within the state
Keep in mind that this would include criminal violations and disciplinary actions that relate to your practice in other states as well, and—as is the case in Arkansas—states tend to give their Boards of Dentistry extensive leeway when it comes to rules and regulations. It also means that even the smallest error in judgment could become a serious issue, so knowing how to respond when a complaint is filed is paramount to presenting your best defense.
Understanding the Disciplinary Process for Dental Hygienists in Arkansas
In addition to regulations governing your dental hygienist practice, Arkansas’ DPA also governs the state’s disciplinary process. Complaints can be submitted in writing through an online portal on the ASBDE’s website. It’s important to note that this portal is available to anyone wishing to file a complaint, including family and friends, colleagues, and coworkers. In fact, like most states, dental hygienists are held to a high standard of care, and that includes an ethical responsibility to report bad behavior when you see it.
This means that a complaint doesn’t have to come from a patient; it can come from others who are aware of the situation as well.
If the Board believes that the case warrants consideration and that the ASBDE has jurisdiction, the Board will proceed with its investigation. This is a fact-finding process where the goal is to determine 1) if the allegations are true, and 2) if the allegations constitute a violation or breach of duty.
During the investigation, the Board may request records, talk to witnesses, and interview the patient or the person who filed the complaint. The Board will likely request a formal response from you and may want to interview you at this stage as well, so be aware that anything you say can be used against you if the complaint proceeds to the next stage.
NOTE: The ASBDE’s complaint portal also provides alternatives to filing a formal complaint, including information for mediation through the Arkansas State Dental Association’s Peer Mediation Committee. And while this is certainly a less aggressive option, it is the complainant who will make that call. In addition, should a complainant opt for mediation, that does not prevent them from pursuing a formal complaint if the mediation is unsuccessful. Having a plan of action that includes presenting a solid defense is crucial in these situations, and the sooner you contact our offices, the sooner we can go to work for you.
If the Board isn’t convinced that a violation has been committed, they can choose to dismiss the charges and close the case. On the other hand, if they believe that the evidence warrants further action, they will either set a formal hearing or offer you the opportunity to sign a consent order.
Should I Sign a Consent Order?
Consent orders aren’t bad, per se… There are just a number of things to consider before you sign. This order works much like a plea agreement in a criminal case: you admit to the charges and willingly agree to whatever penalties and punishments the Board lays out. In return for this cooperation, the investigation and prosecution against you ends.
As you might imagine, this can be your best option in some instances, but again, it’s important to understand what you’re agreeing to before you sign.
Consent orders are binding, for example—it is a legal agreement between you and the Board—so if you change your mind down the road, you’ll have a hard time undoing the agreement.
Consent orders also typically include a clause that waives your rights to present a defense. You no longer need a defense because you’ve signed the order, but that can also make it difficult to file an appeal.
All consent orders constitute a formal disciplinary action, meaning they will go on your professional record and be included in the national data banks, potentially affecting your ability to practice in any state for years to come.
Finally, consent orders require that you agree to the penalties, restrictions, and punishments laid out by the Board. This can include hefty monetary fines and restrictions on the procedures you can perform, limiting how and when you can work. You may also be required to undergo additional training, enroll in additional classes, and/or enter a rehab or therapy program.
Consent orders can even include a revocation or suspension of your license, and that can have a direct impact on your livelihood, so it’s critical that you’re very clear on the terms before you sign.
The good news is that the LLF National Law Firm can help you negotiate the best possible terms for this type of agreement, if that’s what you want to do. Our Professional License Defense Team has both the skills and experience you need to make informed decisions about your case and your career as a dental hygienist in Arkansas. If you’re contemplating a consent order or if you believe your professional license could be at risk, call us immediately at (888) 535-3686 or use our online form to schedule a consultation.
What to Do If You’re Facing a Formal Hearing
In instances where a consent order is not accepted (or offered), the ASBDE will initiate a formal hearing on the matter. You will receive notification of this hearing, and you’ll have a set amount of time to prepare, typically a few weeks.
This hearing will be your opportunity to present your defense and demonstrate why you should be allowed to continue your practice without limitation.
It is essential that you show up for this hearing, and it’s recommended that you have an attorney present when you do. Once all the evidence and testimony have been presented, the Board will make its determination. This can range from a full dismissal to a permanent revocation of your license, and yes—the Board can offer a consent order at this stage as well—so knowing how to navigate these procedures and negotiate skillfully on your behalf is your best weapon.
The Professional License Defense Team at the LLF National Law Firm can help you advocate for your rights and protect your license at every stage of the disciplinary process.
Can My License Be Suspended or Revoked Without My Knowledge?
In most cases, you will be notified when a complaint has been filed against you, giving you the ability to present your defense before a determination is made. There are, however, instances where this might not be true. Serious allegations, such as those involving threats or abuse, may warrant an immediate investigation and/or suspension of your license to preserve evidence and protect potential victims.
In these instances, your case may not follow the standard disciplinary process, and you’ll be asked to present your defense after the fact to have your dental hygienist license reinstated.
What Areas Does the LLF National Law Firm Serve in Arkansas?
The LLF National Law Firm serves professionals across the country. In fact, our Professional License Defense Team has worked with dental hygienists, dentists, doctors, and a variety of other tradespeople, care providers, and service professionals in all 50 states.
This includes Arkansas’ largest cities, like Little Rock, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Bentonville, and Springdale, as well as its smaller areas, such as Saratoga, Edgemont, Birdsong, and Georgetown.
This expansive reach means that we can assist you regardless of where you live and work. It also means that we’ll be able to help you defend any multistate or interstate issues as well, a benefit that will be especially important to dental hygienists traveling back and forth between states under Arkansas’s Dentist & Dental Hygienist Compact.
Arkansas enacted this legislation and joined the Compact in March 2025; when this legislation takes effect, Arkansas dental hygienists will be able to fast-track the licensing process in participating states and work under compact privileges. The LLF National Law Firm will be able to help you defend your license in all of those areas, too.
The LLF National Law Firm Can Help You Defend Your Dental Hygienist License
We realize how stressful this process can be, and we know it’s not easy to face a state investigation alone.
So, don’t.
You worked hard to obtain your dental hygienist license—from the first class you attended to the ongoing effort required to establish your professional reputation and grow your practice. The LLF National Law can help you protect that investment and safeguard your professional career.
We have the skills and experience to navigate Arkansas’ disciplinary process, and we can help you make informed decisions about the future of your career. Our Professional License Defense Team is ready to go to work for you and can assist with every stage of the process. For example, we can:
- Respond to the initial complaint
- Help you prepare and strengthen your defense by gathering evidence and supporting witnesses
- Represent you in interactions with the ASBDE
- File your appeal and present your case
- Negotiate the best possible terms for a consent order
- Advocate for your rights during the disciplinary process
You are allowed to have legal counsel on your side. Take advantage of that opportunity and give yourself the representation you need and deserve. Our offices are ready to help you defend your license and protect your practice, so don’t wait.
If you believe your dental hygienist license is at risk, call us today at (888) 535-3686 or use our online form to schedule a consultation.