Three infections linked to Colorado dentist accused or reusing needles for over 11 years

drstephenstein.com

(CBS News) Three possible infections have been linked to embattled Colorado oral surgeon Dr. Stephen Stein, the man accused of reusing needles for more than a decade at his dental offices.

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In a statement on Wednesday, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said from its testing it has identified three former patients with infections. It would not identify which diseases the patients had contracted to protect patient confidentiality.

The health department had previously sent letters to 8,000 of Stein's former patients urging them to get tested for HIV and hepatitis B and C in addition to informing the media of the potential risk to cast a wider net on Stein's former patients.

Despite the positive tests, the health department said it may never trace the source of the infections back to Stein's offices. The department has been working for the Centers for Disease Control on disease surveillance and said it would update the public on confirmed infections the first of every month.

"The CDC and department confirmed it would be difficult if not impossible to conclude definitively whether the dental practice was the actual source of transmission for any of these positive test results," the statement read.

Colorado health officials had announced in July that Stein may have reused needles on patients from September 1999 through June 2011 at his practice in Highlands Ranch, Colo., as well as from August 2010 to June 2011 at his office in Denver. Stein allegedly re-used syringes and needles during oral and facial surgery procedures, and for intravenous (IV) medications, including for sedation.

The announcement has raised fears for some Colorado residents. CBS Denver reports that several former patients have sought legal council to see if they could collect damages.

"Everyone can sue," attorney Chad Hemmat told CBS Denver. But as for the chances of them collecting damages, Hemmat said, "From the circumstances, as I understand them, somewhere between slim and none." He said the doctor's insurance coverage has probably lapsed and Colorado laws place a cap on what victims can get for pain and suffering.

CBS Denver also reports Stein is part of an ongoing investigation into prescription fraud and other charges.

Stein had agreed to give up his license to practice in June 2011 following an investigation by the state's dental board that found he "deliberately" and "willfully" violated Colorado Dental Practice Law.

[Rizzodentalgroup]

Awesome article.

http://rizzodentalgroup.com/

[tobycrane211]

Thanks for sharing this information. The <a href="http://ralhandentistry.ca">dentist</a>s around the nation and in Ontario are having some major changes in their occupations. I would imagine the dental services have evolved over the years. Thanks again!

[RTFme]

We have laws to jail folks who do not disclose HIV status to sex partners, but we can't prosecute unscrupulous idiots like Dr Stephen Stein?

[MojitoMamma]

If you are lucky enough to be within driving distance of a Dental School, check it out. I live in a town with a public University that has a dentistry school and I've been getting my dental care from them since 1982. The dentists (professors who teach) are all bona fide and certified, and they all see patients in addition to the dental students treating patients under full and constant supervision from the profs. They don't have any overhead to worry about - the school is funded through the State, so they can concentrate on patient care instead of running their clinic (and cutting corners like this charlatan Dr. Stein). Their ethics are impeccable - they have never given me any treatments or done any work that I didn't need, and they always offer more than one treatment option (amalgam vs. gold or porcelain); patients are actively involved in their treatment decisions. The best part is their fees are lower than what dentists charge in a commercial practice, again, because of the lack of overhead. You are just paying the dentist's salary and the cost of materials. In March of this year, I paid $116 for cleaning, an exam, and an x-ray, and I've never had dental insurance. Back in 2005 I had six Lumineer brand veneers put on my top front teeth and they only charged me $700 per tooth, a HUGE discount compared to what you'd pay in a private practice. They take most kinds of dental insurance, too, and they also provide free pediatric dental screenings a couple of times every year. If you like getting your money's worth, check out a dentistry school - they'll have you smiling in no time, and no worries, either.

[In2theDark]

This idiot needs to be thrown into a pit filled with tainted hypodermic needles. Give him a taste of his own medicine.

[tmn]

AMEN to that!

[enoughsaidu]

Amen to the assistant that turned him in.

[Think3Times]

Stein had agreed to give up his license to practice in June 2011 following an investigation by the state's dental board that found he "deliberately" and "willfully" violated Colorado Dental Practice Law.

Oh so he "agreed" did he? It wasn't taken from him maybe because.. he broke the law?

Does this mean that he could have just "not agreed" and kept practicing?

[dalef]

How can a medical professional willfully and purposely put the patients under his care in grave danger just to save a few dollars? Being a dentist, he probably earned significantly more money than average, therefore, his actions were by no means a financial necessity.

This article did not mention if this Dr. Stein is facing criminal charges. If he is not, why is he not being prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law? Current laws probably do not allow this, but if he is found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, he should be executed.

[ballwyllo]

Sadly, after 8 years working as a consultant to the dental industry, I am not surprised at all. time and time again I have seen Dentists focussed on saving pennies rather than safety, patient needs or any other higher purpose that the public expects from practitioners in Medicine and Dentistry. While it may be an exception; unfortunately I don't think it is a rare one. Just one more reason to remember as a consumer "Buyer Beware!" Also it is important to note, that it is highly unlikely that this Dentist's staff were unaware of his behavior.

[raydds]

What he did is beyond my wildest dream. In fact there should be criminal charges against him. But in my practice as a dentist, I see my family and all my dental assistants and hygienists follow the same infection control protocols. All my colleagues as far as I know are the same. So generalizing this to most of our community is a bit extreme.

[enoughsaidu]

Please note that it was one of his assistants that turned him in.

[credibility2]

...this is reprehensible and unexplainable...with all the money this guy had and his ability to buy new needles and write them off of his taxes without jeopardizing the health and safety of his patients defies logic...glad he was finally discovered...hope those he deliberately infected won't have any health issues...

[Mobredthree]

This guy is almost as bad as the male nurse who stole Fentanyl and replaced it with hepatitis tainted saline.