True or False: All licensed dental professionals must submit fingerprints during the license renewal process if licensed before January 1, 1999.

All licensed dental professionals who were licensed before January 1, 1999, are required to submit fingerprints during the license renewal process. This requirement was implemented to ensure that background checks are performed on dental professionals, which is vital for maintaining public safety and trust in the profession. The fingerprinting process helps to identify any criminal history or misconduct that may not have been disclosed during the initial licensing process.

The rationale behind this regulation stems from a growing emphasis on transparency and accountability within healthcare professions, including dentistry. As the landscape of healthcare evolves, so do the requirements for maintaining licensure. Implementing fingerprint background checks serves as a protective measure for the public, ensuring that all practicing dental professionals meet the necessary ethical and legal standards.

In contrast, the other choices do not accurately reflect the requirement for fingerprint submission. Only new graduates, those under investigation, or exemptions for individuals licensed after a certain date do not represent the general mandate for those licensed before January 1, 1999. Therefore, the assertion that all these licensed dental professionals must submit fingerprints is indeed true.