Which group is NOT prohibited from serving on the Louisiana State Board of Dentistry?

• A. Part-time faculty of a dental or dental hygiene department.
• B. Full-time faculty of a dental or dental hygiene department.
• C. Dentists who own stock in a dental supply business.
• D. Hygienists who own stock in a commercial laboratory.

Answer: (A)

Board eligibility hinges on avoiding conflicts of interest and financial ties that could influence regulation of dental professionals. Part-time faculty of a dental or dental hygiene department are not prohibited because their role is primarily educational and does not create ongoing institutional ties or a direct financial stake in industry decisions. Full-time faculty, by contrast, have continuous ties to an institution and could be seen as influenced by that environment, which raises concerns about impartial governance. Dentists who own stock in a dental supply business have a direct financial stake in the success of suppliers, creating a clear conflict with objective regulation. Hygienists who own stock in a commercial laboratory likewise have a potential financial interest in laboratory decisions, making them ineligible. Therefore, the only group not prohibited is part-time faculty.