{"id":39758,"date":"2026-07-20T12:49:30","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T12:49:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/?page_id=39758"},"modified":"2026-07-20T19:34:04","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T19:34:04","slug":"what-to-expect-during-a-georgia-board-of-dentistry-investigation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/what-to-expect-during-a-georgia-board-of-dentistry-investigation\/","title":{"rendered":"What to expect during a Georgia Board of Dentistry investigation"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"39758\" class=\"elementor elementor-39758\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e5b2cb0 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e5b2cb0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d3d602d elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"d3d602d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n<!-- Healthcare Ethics Courses \u2014 US Knowledge & Support \u2014 Georgia Dentists\r\n     Article: What to expect during a Georgia Board of Dentistry investigation\r\n     Paste into an Elementor Custom HTML block. 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20px;}\r\n  }\r\n  <\/style>\r\n\r\n  <nav class=\"crumbs\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumb\">\r\n    <ol>\r\n      <li><a href=\"\/us\/\">Home<\/a><\/li>\r\n      <li class=\"sep\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&rsaquo;<\/li>\r\n      <li><a href=\"\/us\/knowledge-support\/\">Knowledge &amp; Support<\/a><\/li>\r\n      <li class=\"sep\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&rsaquo;<\/li>\r\n      <li><a href=\"\/us\/knowledge-support\/\">Georgia Dentists<\/a><\/li>\r\n      <li class=\"sep\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&rsaquo;<\/li>\r\n      <li aria-current=\"page\">What to expect in an investigation<\/li>\r\n    <\/ol>\r\n  <\/nav>\r\n\r\n  <header class=\"head wrap\">\r\n    <h1>What to expect during a Georgia Board of Dentistry investigation<\/h1>\r\n    <div class=\"meta\"><span>7 min read<\/span><span class=\"dot\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&bull;<\/span><span>Last updated July 2026<\/span><\/div>\r\n    <p class=\"lead\">A Georgia Board of Dentistry investigation has features that surprise dentists &mdash; including an investigative interview where you may not learn the specific allegations. Here is what to expect, the Board&rsquo;s powers, and how a case moves toward resolution.<\/p>\r\n  <\/header>\r\n\r\n  <div class=\"takeaways wrap\">\r\n    <h2>Key takeaways<\/h2>\r\n    <ul>\r\n      <li>The Board&rsquo;s Compliance and Investigations Division assigns an investigator who may request a written statement, records, or documents.<\/li>\r\n      <li>The Board can issue subpoenas to compel access to records and can inspect a practice&rsquo;s premises.<\/li>\r\n      <li>The Board often invites a dentist to an investigative interview with a panel of Board members &mdash; sharing the general nature but not the specific allegations.<\/li>\r\n      <li>Altering or destroying records in contemplation of an investigation is itself unprofessional conduct.<\/li>\r\n      <li>Very few complaints reach a formal hearing; most resolve at the investigation stage.<\/li>\r\n    <\/ul>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <div class=\"body wrap\">\r\n    <h2>Who investigates, and how<\/h2>\r\n    <p>Once a case is opened, the Compliance and Investigations Division assigns an investigator. The investigator <em>may or may not<\/em> contact you for additional information, a written statement, or documents &mdash; so silence does not mean the matter has gone away. The executive director is vested with broad authority under \u00a7 43-11-47(h)(1) to make the investigations the Board deems necessary to enforce the Dental Practice Act.<\/p>\r\n    <h2>Subpoenas and premises inspections<\/h2>\r\n    <p>The Board&rsquo;s investigative powers are real. On a determination that reasonable grounds exist, the executive director or Board president can issue subpoenas to compel access to writings, documents, and other material relating to a licensee&rsquo;s fitness. The Board or its designee may also, on reasonable notice, conduct an on-site inspection of the facility, equipment, and personnel of a permitted dental practice.<\/p>\r\n    <h2>The investigative interview &mdash; and what you won&rsquo;t be told<\/h2>\r\n    <p>This is the feature that catches many Georgia dentists off guard. In a good number of cases the Board invites the dentist to a meeting with an <strong>investigative panel<\/strong> of several Board members. You are told which patient is involved, if any, and the general nature of the matter &mdash; treatment rendered, a criminal conviction, misconduct, or action by another state agency &mdash; but you are <strong>not<\/strong> told the specific allegations in the complaint. In other words, you may appear for the interview without knowing the precise concerns the panel intends to raise, which is exactly why preparation and counsel matter here.<\/p>\r\n    <h2>Records: the one thing never to do<\/h2>\r\n    <p>The instinct to &ldquo;clean up&rdquo; or clarify a chart once a complaint arrives is dangerous. Under the Board&rsquo;s rules, <strong>falsifying, altering, or destroying treatment records in contemplation of an investigation<\/strong> or a lawsuit is itself an act of unprofessional conduct &mdash; a separate violation that can be more serious than the original complaint. Preserve records exactly as they are; the only appropriate change is none.<\/p>\r\n    <h2>Mental or physical examinations<\/h2>\r\n    <p>Where a licensee&rsquo;s fitness is in question, the Board can direct a mental or physical examination. By accepting the privilege of practicing dentistry in Georgia, every licensee is deemed to have consented to such an examination and to have waived objection to the results&rsquo; admissibility. Failing to submit when properly directed can lead the Board to enter a final order after notice and hearing.<\/p>\r\n    <h2>How investigations resolve<\/h2>\r\n    <p>Most cases end at the investigation stage. The Board may close a complaint with no violation or insufficient evidence; close it with a private <strong>letter of concern<\/strong> where there is no violation but the Board wishes to note the issue; close it with a <strong>private consent order<\/strong> where there is a violation resolved by private agreement; close it with a <strong>public consent order<\/strong> that is posted on the licensee&rsquo;s public record; or refer it for formal charges and a hearing. Only a very small number of complaints ever proceed to a formal hearing.<\/p>\r\n    <h2>What helps<\/h2>\r\n    <p>The steps that help are consistent: preserve complete and unaltered records, prepare thoroughly for any investigative interview &mdash; ideally with counsel, given you may not know the specific allegations &mdash; and begin a documented record of reflection and remediation. For the response and defense stage, see <a href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/knowledge-support\/dentists\/georgia\/discipline\/\">responding to the Georgia Board of Dentistry<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <section class=\"courses wrap\">\r\n    <h2>Related courses<\/h2>\r\n    <p class=\"intro\">These courses map to what an investigation examines &mdash; your records, your insight, and your evidence of remediation:<\/p>\r\n    <div class=\"clist\">\r\n      <a class=\"ccard\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/courses\/dealing-with-a-complaint-or-investigation-professionally\/\"><span class=\"cn\">Dealing with a Complaint or Investigation Professionally<\/span><svg class=\"arw\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2.2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><line x1=\"5\" y1=\"12\" x2=\"19\" y2=\"12\"\/><polyline points=\"12 5 19 12 12 19\"\/><\/svg><\/a>\r\n      <a class=\"ccard\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/courses\/documentation-for-healthcare-professionals\/\"><span class=\"cn\">Documentation for Healthcare Professionals<\/span><svg class=\"arw\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2.2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><line x1=\"5\" y1=\"12\" x2=\"19\" y2=\"12\"\/><polyline points=\"12 5 19 12 12 19\"\/><\/svg><\/a>\r\n      <a class=\"ccard\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/courses\/insight-for-fitness-to-practice\/\"><span class=\"cn\">Insight for Fitness to Practise<\/span><svg class=\"arw\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2.2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><line x1=\"5\" y1=\"12\" x2=\"19\" y2=\"12\"\/><polyline points=\"12 5 19 12 12 19\"\/><\/svg><\/a>\r\n      <a class=\"ccard\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/courses\/remediation-for-fitness-to-practise\/\"><span class=\"cn\">Remediation for Fitness to Practise<\/span><svg class=\"arw\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2.2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><line x1=\"5\" y1=\"12\" x2=\"19\" y2=\"12\"\/><polyline points=\"12 5 19 12 12 19\"\/><\/svg><\/a>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <p class=\"caveat\">These are structured ethics and professional-development courses that issue a certificate of completion &mdash; they are not accredited continuing education (CE), and completion does not resolve a Board matter. Their value is as documented evidence of insight, reflection, and remediation, which the Georgia Board of Dentistry weighs in mitigation when deciding an outcome.<\/p>\r\n  <\/section>\r\n\r\n  <section class=\"siblings wrap\">\r\n    <h2>More on the Georgia Board of Dentistry<\/h2>\r\n    <div class=\"slist\">\r\n      <a class=\"scard\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/facing-a-complaint-before-the-georgia-board-of-dentistry-a-dentists-starting-guide\/\">Facing a complaint before the Georgia Board of Dentistry: a dentist&rsquo;s starting guide<\/a>\r\n      <a class=\"scard\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/responding-to-the-georgia-board-of-dentistry-how-to-build-your-defense\/\">Responding to the Georgia Board of Dentistry: how to build your defense<\/a>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n  <\/section>\r\n\r\n  <section class=\"faq wrap\">\r\n    <h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\r\n    <div class=\"fitem\">\r\n      <button class=\"fq\" onclick=\"hecTF(this)\"><span>Will the investigator contact me?<\/span><svg class=\"ic\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"><line x1=\"12\" y1=\"5\" x2=\"12\" y2=\"19\"\/><line x1=\"5\" y1=\"12\" x2=\"19\" y2=\"12\"\/><\/svg><\/button>\r\n      <div class=\"fa\"><div class=\"fa-in\">Possibly. The assigned investigator may or may not contact you to request a written statement, records, or documents. A lack of contact does not mean the investigation has been dropped.<\/div><\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"fitem\">\r\n      <button class=\"fq\" onclick=\"hecTF(this)\"><span>Can the Board subpoena records or inspect my office?<\/span><svg class=\"ic\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"><line x1=\"12\" y1=\"5\" x2=\"12\" y2=\"19\"\/><line x1=\"5\" y1=\"12\" x2=\"19\" y2=\"12\"\/><\/svg><\/button>\r\n      <div class=\"fa\"><div class=\"fa-in\">Yes. On a determination of reasonable grounds, the Board can issue subpoenas to compel access to records, and it may conduct an on-site inspection of a permitted practice&rsquo;s facility, equipment, and personnel on reasonable notice.<\/div><\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"fitem\">\r\n      <button class=\"fq\" onclick=\"hecTF(this)\"><span>Will I be told the specific allegations before an investigative interview?<\/span><svg class=\"ic\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"><line x1=\"12\" y1=\"5\" x2=\"12\" y2=\"19\"\/><line x1=\"5\" y1=\"12\" x2=\"19\" y2=\"12\"\/><\/svg><\/button>\r\n      <div class=\"fa\"><div class=\"fa-in\">Often not. The Board typically shares the patient involved and the general nature of the matter, but not the specific allegations in the complaint &mdash; so preparation and counsel are important.<\/div><\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"fitem\">\r\n      <button class=\"fq\" onclick=\"hecTF(this)\"><span>Can I correct or clarify my records after a complaint?<\/span><svg class=\"ic\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"><line x1=\"12\" y1=\"5\" x2=\"12\" y2=\"19\"\/><line x1=\"5\" y1=\"12\" x2=\"19\" y2=\"12\"\/><\/svg><\/button>\r\n      <div class=\"fa\"><div class=\"fa-in\">No. Falsifying, altering, or destroying treatment records in contemplation of an investigation or lawsuit is itself unprofessional conduct. Records should be preserved exactly as they are.<\/div><\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"fitem\">\r\n      <button class=\"fq\" onclick=\"hecTF(this)\"><span>Can the Board make me undergo an examination?<\/span><svg class=\"ic\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"><line x1=\"12\" y1=\"5\" x2=\"12\" y2=\"19\"\/><line x1=\"5\" y1=\"12\" x2=\"19\" y2=\"12\"\/><\/svg><\/button>\r\n      <div class=\"fa\"><div class=\"fa-in\">Yes. By practicing dentistry in Georgia you are deemed to have consented to a mental or physical examination when properly directed; failing to submit can lead to a final order after notice and hearing.<\/div><\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"fitem\">\r\n      <button class=\"fq\" onclick=\"hecTF(this)\"><span>How do most investigations end?<\/span><svg class=\"ic\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"><line x1=\"12\" y1=\"5\" x2=\"12\" y2=\"19\"\/><line x1=\"5\" y1=\"12\" x2=\"19\" y2=\"12\"\/><\/svg><\/button>\r\n      <div class=\"fa\"><div class=\"fa-in\">At the investigation stage &mdash; through closure, a private letter of concern, or a private or public consent order. Only a very small number of complaints proceed to a formal hearing.<\/div><\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n  <\/section>\r\n\r\n  <script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"Article\", \"headline\": \"What to expect during a Georgia Board of Dentistry investigation\", \"description\": \"What to expect during a Georgia Board of Dentistry investigation: the investigator, subpoenas, the investigative-panel interview, records, and how cases end.\", \"author\": {\"@type\": \"Person\", \"name\": \"Dr Shehzad Iqbal\", \"jobTitle\": \"Clinician; MRCS, MRCGP, PG Cert Healthcare Law & Ethics (University of Dundee)\"}, \"publisher\": {\"@type\": \"Organization\", \"name\": \"Healthcare Ethics Courses\", \"url\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/\"}, \"dateModified\": \"2026-07-01\", \"mainEntityOfPage\": {\"@type\": \"WebPage\", \"@id\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/knowledge-support\/dentists\/georgia\/investigation\/\"}, \"about\": \"Georgia Board of Dentistry\", \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\"}<\/script>\r\n  <script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"BreadcrumbList\", \"itemListElement\": [{\"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 1, \"name\": \"Home\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/\"}, {\"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 2, \"name\": \"Knowledge & Support\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/knowledge-support\/\"}, {\"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 3, \"name\": \"Georgia Dentists\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/knowledge-support\/dentists\/georgia\/\"}, {\"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 4, \"name\": \"What to expect during a Georgia Board of Dentistry investigation\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/knowledge-support\/dentists\/georgia\/investigation\/\"}]}<\/script>\r\n  <script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"FAQPage\", \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Will the investigator contact me?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Possibly. The assigned investigator may or may not contact you to request a written statement, records, or documents. A lack of contact does not mean the investigation has been dropped.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Can the Board subpoena records or inspect my office?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes. On a determination of reasonable grounds, the Board can issue subpoenas to compel access to records, and it may conduct an on-site inspection of a permitted practice\u2019s facility, equipment, and personnel on reasonable notice.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Will I be told the specific allegations before an investigative interview?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Often not. 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