(1) The professional members of the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners shall be regularly licensed, registered, and practicing dentists and dental hygienists, each of whom must be a graduate of a reputable college of dentistry or dental hygiene and must have been a regularly licensed, registered, and practicing dentist or dental hygienist in the State of Arkansas for a period of five (5) years next preceding the date of his or her appointment.
(2) No dentist or dental hygienist is eligible for appointment to the board who is in any way connected with, or interested in, any college of dentistry, a commercial dental laboratory, or the dental supply business.