Maryland § 4-301

§ 4-301.

    (a)    (1)    Except as otherwise provided in this title, an individual shall be licensed by the Board to practice dentistry before the individual may practice dentistry on a human being in this State.

        (2)    Except as otherwise provided in this title, an individual shall be licensed by the Board to practice dental hygiene before the individual may practice dental hygiene on a human being in this State.

    (b)    This section does not apply to:

        (1)    A student of dentistry while engaged in an educational program at an approved school of dentistry;

        (2)    A student of dental hygiene while engaged in an approved educational program in dental hygiene;

        (3)    A dentist while performing official duties in a federal dental service;

        (4)    An individual licensed to practice dentistry in any other state or a foreign country, while the individual:

            (i)    Makes a clinical demonstration before a dental society, dental convention, association of dentists, or dental college; or

            (ii)    Performs professional duties on a specific case for which the individual is called into this State;

        (5)    A dental assistant, if the dental assistant:

            (i)    Subject to the rules and regulations adopted by the Board, performs only procedures that do not require the professional skills of a licensed dentist; and

            (ii)    Performs intraoral procedures in accordance with § 4–301.1 of this subtitle only under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist who personally is present in the office area where the procedures are performed; or

        (6)    An heir of a deceased licensed dentist or a personal representative of a deceased licensed dentist, if:

            (i)    The deceased licensed dentist was the owner of the dental practice;

            (ii)    The deceased licensed dentist did not provide for the disposition of the dental practice; and

            (iii)    The heir or the personal representative of the deceased licensed dentist serves as the owner of the dental practice, regardless of whether the heir or the personal representative is licensed to practice dentistry, for no longer than 1 year after the death of the licensed dentist unless the Board extends the time period under subsection (c)(1) of this section.

    (c)    (1)    On written request and good cause shown by the heir or personal representative of a deceased licensed dentist, including evidence of a good faith effort to sell or close the dental practice, the Board, in its sole discretion, may extend the 1–year period under subsection (b)(6)(iii) of this section for up to an additional 6 months to allow the heir or personal representative sufficient time to sell or otherwise dispose of the dental practice.

        (2)    During the temporary ownership of a dental practice by an heir or a representative of a deceased licensed dentist under subsection (b)(6)(iii) of this section and, if applicable, paragraph (1) of this subsection, all patient care shall be provided:

            (i)    By an appropriate individual who is licensed under this title; and

            (ii)    In accordance with the individual’s scope of practice.

        (3)    The temporary ownership of a dental practice by an heir or a personal representative of a deceased licensed dentist under this subsection may not affect the exercise of the independent judgment of a licensed dentist who provides care to patients of the dental practice.