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Oklahoma Investigation Highlights Statewide Medical Malpractice Issue

On the heels of a public health scare involving thousands of patients of an Oklahoma dentist, a recent investigation has indicated that medical malpractice in the field of dentistry is not so uncommon as one might think. Unfortunately, in this particular case, alleged negligence on the part of the dentist has already resulted in 65 …

On the heels of a public health scare involving thousands of patients of an Oklahoma dentist, a recent investigation has indicated that medical malpractice in the field of dentistry is not so uncommon as one might think. Unfortunately, in this particular case, alleged negligence on the part of the dentist has already resulted in 65 former patients testing positive for hepatitis C and at least two testing positive for HIV. If you believe you have been adversely affected by the negligence of a medical professional in Oklahoma, contact our reputable attorneys at Oklahoma Legal Center today. Our law firm is located in Oklahoma City, and our lawyers have extensive experience protecting the rights of individuals throughout the state potentially harmed by medical malpractice.

Disciplinary Action Taken Against Oklahoma Dentists

According to the investigation, conducted by Oklahoma’s Tulsa World newspaper, the Oklahoma State Board of Dentistry took disciplinary action against 68 licensed dentists in Oklahoma during the past 13 years,including 16 dentists whose licenses were surrendered or revoked. The state agency, which is responsible for penalizing dentists, took at least 98 actions against dentists during that time, for violations of the state dental act and other laws including improper prescribing practices, substance abuse and allowing assistants to perform duties for which they were not licensed.

The investigators examined records for all board actions between January 2000 and January 2013, and found actions against at least 22 dentists from the Oklahoma City area and at least 16 from the Tulsa area. According to the investigation, at least 21 of the dentists disciplined by the board had more than one action taken against them during the reviewed time period. Additionally, the board took action against four individuals practicing dentistry without a license, six registered dental hygienists, three dental laboratories and a dental assistant.

Contact Our Qualified Attorneys for Legal Help

The recent case involving the Tulsa-area dentist who potentially exposed as many as 7,000 patients to HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C has shed light on the issue of medical malpractice in Oklahoma, and the degree to which the health and safety of patients throughout the state are protected. According to a Tulsa dentist who served on the dental board for nearly a decade, when the board finds a dentist has violated one of the 37 rules in the state dental act, “it’s the state board’s job to separate that practitioner and the patients as quickly as possible.” Unfortunately for 7,000 dental patients in Oklahoma, this action didn’t happen quickly enough. If you believe you have been harmed by the medical negligence of a doctor or hospital in Oklahoma, consult our lawyers at Oklahoma Legal Center for legal help.

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