Title 5
Businesses and Professions

Chapter 31.1
Dentists and Dental Hygienists

R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-31.1-18

§ 5-31.1-18. Appeal from the decision of the director of the department of health.

(a) Any person whose license or limited registration to practice dentistry or license to practice dental hygiene or license to practice DAANCE-certified maxillofacial surgery assisting has been revoked or suspended by the board and/or director or is aggrieved by the decision of the board and/or director shall have the right of judicial review of the board’s and director’s decision. That review is initiated by serving on the director a notice of appeal and filing this notice of appeal with a complaint in accordance with the Rules of Civil Procedure in the superior court within thirty (30) days after the decision of the director.

(b) The director shall, within twenty (20) days after the service of the notice of appeal, transmit to the clerk of the superior court to which the appeal is taken a transcript of the record of the board, certified under the seal of the board, together with a certified copy of the board’s written findings, all of which is admissible as evidence.

(c) The findings of the board and/or director are final and conclusive, subject to review in the superior court pursuant to the administrative procedures act, chapter 35 of title 42. Any appeal taken to the superior court has precedence on the calendar, is considered an emergency matter and, when practicable, shall be heard in any event not later than thirty (30) days from the date of appeal. There is no stay pending this appeal of any sanction imposed by the director unless it is determined that the matter cannot be placed on the court’s docket within the specified time. Except as provided in this chapter, appeals follow the procedures set forth in the administrative procedures act, chapter 35 of title 42.

History of Section.
P.L. 1987, ch. 358, § 2; P.L. 2014, ch. 95, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 163, § 1.