A license to practice dentistry may be placed in inactive status one time through the following procedures.

1. A. The request for inactive status must be made by an application obtained from the board office prior to the expiration of the current license or the three-year eligibility of retirement status. Dentists with an active practice located in New Mexico must include the following information:

   (1) the actual date of inactivation request;

   (2) proof of written notification of approaching inactive status to all patients currently under active treatment;

   (3) the location where all active dental treatment records will be maintained for a minimum of six years; active treatment records are records of patients treated in the two years previous to the date of inactive status; the notification to the board must include the name, address, and telephone number of the person who is serving as the custodian of the records.

2. B. All dentists requesting inactive status shall include a list of any continuing education courses taken since the last license renewal, including documentation as set forth in 16.5.10 NMAC.

3. C. The board may deny a request for inactive status if there are any current or pending complaints or disciplinary actions against the licensee.

   [3-14-73...5-31-95, 12-15-97; 16.5.12.9 NMAC - Rn & A, 16 NMAC 5.12.9, 12-14-00; N, 03-06-05; A, 04-17-06; A, 01-09-12]