What power does the Florida Board of Dentistry have regarding disciplinary actions?

• A. Issue general business licenses to dental offices.
• B. Investigate complaints and impose restrictions, suspensions, or revocations.
• C. Provide patient financial counseling.
• D. Approve continuing education programs for non-dentists.

Answer: (B)

Disciplinary power is about protecting the public by enforcing practice standards and sanctions when those standards aren’t met. The Florida Board of Dentistry can investigate complaints against licensed dental professionals and, after a due process process, impose actions such as restrictions on what you may do in practice, suspensions, or license revocations. This authority covers violations of laws and board rules, including unprofessional conduct, fraud, or violations of mandatory continuing education or scope-of-practice rules.

Other functions listed don’t fit disciplinary actions: issuing general business licenses to dental offices is typically handled by a different regulatory body, not the dentistry Board; providing patient financial counseling isn’t a regulatory power; and approving continuing education programs for non-dentists isn’t within the Board’s disciplinary remit.