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Board hears licensing, continuing education and enforcement statistics; executive officer reviews budget and staffing
Summary
Staff reported licensing and continuing education audit data, enforcement caseload numbers and a mid‑year budget overview showing about 55% of budget spent and a projected year‑end fund balance; board discussed exam pass rates and continuing education provider issues.
Board staff presented licensing and continuing education statistics, enforcement figures and an executive officer—s budget update during the March 22 meeting.
Licensing and CE audits: Albert Paulson, assistant/executive officer presenting the statistics, reported that in the current fiscal year the board issued about 403 registered dental hygienist (RDH) licenses and 41 RDHAP licenses. The materials reported approximately 19,118 active RDH licenses and 783 RDHAP licenses statewide. The continuing education audit program selected 666 audits so far this fiscal year (transcript references 666); of audited licensees, roughly 59% passed and about 30% failed the audit. The largest single reason for failed audits cited in the packet was "invalid continuing education provider" (approximately 28% of failed audits), meaning the courses submitted did not meet the board—s listed approval categories (e.g., CERP, PACE or board‑approved offerings). Staff and members urged continued outreach to licensees and program directors to reduce audit failures.
Enforcement statistics: Paulson reported that between July 1, 2024, and February 2025 the board received 63 consumer complaints and 9 arrest/conviction complaints; the board initiated 272 complaints and closed several hundred cases during the reporting period. The board issued 231 citations and fines totaling roughly $192,800 in fines during the fiscal year to date. Staff noted pending cases over one and two years and explained the investigative and prosecutorial pipeline.
Budget and staffing: Executive Officer Anthony Lum reviewed budget materials in the packet: the board had spent roughly 55% of its annual budget (about $1.6 million) through fiscal month 7 (expenses captured through January 2025), and the expenditure projection suggested approximately 11.5% (about $340,000) of the budget would remain at year end. Revenue year‑to‑date was about $2.4 million with a projected year‑end revenue of roughly $3.5 million; fund condition showed approximately $4.5 million available. Lum said staffing remained a priority: the board had two vacant positions, had lost one position in a prior reduction plan, and had one vacancy in interviews and another position to advertise.
Board discussion: Julie Elginer emphasized the importance of sharing exam and audit statistics with educational program directors and offered to assist with outreach; staff agreed to begin twice‑yearly reporting to programs about exam results. Members also discussed the onus on licensees to confirm CE provider approval and encouraged periodic reminders and website resources.
No board action was taken; documents in the meeting packet supply the numerical details cited by staff.
