Q: I have found it difficult to obtain state board action information on dentists. How can I locate it?— Mark Stasi, Littleton
A: Another reader had a similar question in February, though it dealt with the disciplinary records of physicians.
The state’s system of overseeing certain professions is handled by the Department of Regulatory Agencies.
Dentists are one of 32 occupations regulated by several special boards that take up disciplinary measures and rulemaking. Each board is generally composed of civilians as well as professionals within the regulated field. All of them are appointed by the governor.
This monitoring isn’t all in the public light, however. Only those decisions that result in any form of discipline against a professional, such as a dentist, are made public. Board meetings, though, are public, and schedules are posted on the DORA website.
All of these decisions — in this case the Board of Dental Examiners — are available on the Internet. You can find them at www.dora.state.co.us/ Dental/complaints/enforcement.htm. Or you can see the actual documents at https://doraimage.state.co.us and click the “logon” button, then choose the method of search, either by name or board.
If you don’t have Internet access — remember that nearly every public library has a terminal you can use — you may write DORA directly at 1560 Broadway, Denver, CO 80202, or call 303-894-7800.
David Migoya
wants to get the answers to your consumer questions. E-mail consumertips@ denverpost.com or write to Consumer Shopping Bag, The Denver Post, 101 W. Colfax Ave. Suite 600, Denver, CO 80202.
