The board shall issue under its seal to any person who successfully meets all licensure requirements a license to practice dentistry in this State, signed by the members of the board. A dentist shall publicly exhibit the dentist's license. The license is prima facie evidence of authority to practice dentistry in this State, except that it is unlawful for a person to practice dentistry in this State after the expiration date that appears on the license unless the practitioner pays to the board on or before January 1st of even-numbered years a fee of not more than $400 $550 to be determined by the board, and meets other conditions that the board may require. Upon receipt of the required fee, the board shall issue a renewal of the practitioner's license, which the practitioner shall place beside or attach to the practitioner's initial license. Practitioners who have not paid as provided and who otherwise qualify for renewal may be reinstated upon payment of a fee to be determined by the board of not more than $200 if paid before February 1st. A license to practice is automatically suspended on February 1st for nonpayment of the license renewal fee and may be reinstated, if approved by the board, on payment of a fee to be determined by the board of not more than $400 $550. A new applicant having paid the application fee shall pay either the biennial licensure fee, if the applicant applies on in an even-numbered year, or half the biennial licensure fee if the applicant applies in an odd-numbered year.

Sec. 5. 32 MRSA §1084-B is enacted to read:

§1084-B.__Mental or physical examination

For the purposes of this section, by application for and acceptance of a license to practice, a licensed dentist is considered to have given consent to a mental or physical examination when directed by the board.__The board may direct a dentist to submit to an examination whenever the board determines the dentist may be suffering from a mental illness that may be interfering with the competent practice of dentistry or from the use of intoxicants or drugs to an extent that they are preventing the dentist from practicing dentistry competently and with safety to patients.__A dentist examined pursuant to an order of the board may not prevent the testimony of the examining individual or prevent the acceptance into evidence of the report of an examining individual.__Failure to comply with an order of the board to submit to a mental or physical examination results in the immediate suspension of the license of the dentist by order of the District Court until the dentist submits to the examination.