Watkins v. North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners

I respectfully dissent from the majority’s opinion which affirms the trial court’s decision to reverse the Board’s suspension of Dr. Watkins’ dental license.

I find the Board’s ability to determine the standard of care for orthodontists to be critical when addressing the remaining issues discussed by the majority. With respect to this issue, the majority holds that the Board did not have the expertise to determine the standard of care for orthodontists or what constitutes a breach thereof. The majority reached its holding by distinguishing Leahy v. N.C. Bd. of Nursing, 346 N.C. 775, 488 S.E.2d…