2019 Oklahoma Statutes
Title 59. Professions and Occupations
§59-328.49. Unlawful practices - Criminal and civil actions.

A. The Board of Dentistry shall be responsible for the enforcement of the provisions of the State Dental Act against all persons who are in violation thereof, including, but not limited to, individuals who practice or attempt to practice dentistry or dental hygiene without proper authorization from the Board.

B. 1. It shall be unlawful for any person, except a licensed dentist, to:

a.practice or attempt to practice dentistry,

b.hold oneself out to the public as a dentist or as a person who practices dentistry, or

c.employ or use the words "Doctor" or "Dentist", or the letters "D.D.S." or "D.M.D.", or any modification or derivative thereof, when such use is intended to give the impression that the person is a dentist.

2. It shall be unlawful for any person, except a registered dental hygienist, to:

a.practice or attempt to practice dental hygiene,

b.hold oneself out to the public as a dental hygienist or as a person who practices dental hygiene, or

c.employ or use the words "Registered Dental Hygienist", or the letters "R.D.H.", or any modification or derivative thereof, when such use is intended to give the impression that the person is a dental hygienist.

3. It shall be unlawful for any person to:

a.give false or fraudulent evidence or information to the Board in an attempt to obtain any license or permit from the Board, or

b.aid or abet another person in violation of the State Dental Act.

4. Each day a person is in violation of any provision of this subsection shall constitute a separate criminal offense and, in addition, the district attorney may file a separate charge of medical battery for each person who is injured as a result of treatment performed in violation of this subsection.

C. 1. If a person violates any of the provisions of subsection B of this section, the Board shall refer the alleged violation to the district attorney of the county in which the violation is alleged to have occurred to bring a criminal action in that county against the person. At the request of the Board, district attorney or Attorney General, attorneys employed or contracted by the Board may assist the district attorney or Attorney General in prosecuting charges under the State Dental Act or any violation of law relating to or arising from an investigation conducted by the Board of Dentistry upon approval of the Board or the Executive Director.

2. Any person who violates any of the provisions of paragraph 1 or 3 of subsection B of this section, upon conviction, shall be guilty of a felony punishable by a fine in an amount not less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) nor more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or by imprisonment in the county jail for a term of not more than one (1) year or imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a term of not more than four (4) years, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

Any person who violates any of the provisions of paragraph 2 of subsection B of this section, upon conviction, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine in an amount not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) nor more than Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00), or by imprisonment in the county jail for a term of not more than ninety (90) days, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Any second or subsequent violation of paragraph 2 of subsection B of this section, upon conviction, shall be a felony punishable by a fine in an amount not less than One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or by imprisonment in the county jail for a term of not more than one (1) year or imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a term of not more than two (2) years, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

D. The Board may initiate a civil action, pursuant to Chapter 24 of Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes, seeking a temporary restraining order or injunction, without bond, commanding a person to refrain from engaging in conduct which constitutes a violation of any of the provisions of subsection B of this section. In a civil action filed pursuant to this subsection, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover costs and reasonable attorney fees.

E. In addition to any other penalties provided herein, any person found guilty of contempt of court by reason of the violation of any injunction prohibiting the unlicensed practice of dentistry now in effect or hereafter entered pursuant to any provision of the State Dental Act or any preceding state dental act, shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for a term of not less than thirty (30) days nor more than one (1) year, and by a fine of not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) nor more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00). The court may also require the defendant to furnish a good and sufficient bond in a penal sum to be set by the court, not less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), which shall be conditioned upon future compliance in all particulars with the injunction entered, and in the event of failure of the defendant to furnish such bond when so ordered, the defendant shall be confined in the county jail pending compliance therewith. Such bond shall be mandatory as to any person hereafter found guilty of a second contempt of court for violation of any injunction entered pursuant to the State Dental Act, or any preceding state dental act.

Added by Laws 1970, c. 173, § 49, eff. July 1, 1970. Amended by Laws 1996, c. 2, § 17, eff. Nov. 1, 1996; Laws 2003, c. 172, § 10, emerg. eff. May 5, 2003; Laws 2008, c. 358, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2008; Laws 2012, c. 270, § 11, eff. Nov. 1, 2012.