A Washington dentist was disciplined and fined $10,000 for multiple infection control violations including using unsterilized instruments, reusing IV bags, and asking an unqualified person to assist with x-rays. The dentist must now complete infection control training and undergo surprise inspections for three years.
- Violations found: Unsterilized endodontic instruments, unprotected x-ray machine, reused IV bags, and clutter in patient areas during state inspection.
- Penalties: $10,000 fine plus $3,862 in costs, plus jurisprudence exam requirement.
- Required actions: 10 hours of continuing education in infection control and up to three unannounced inspections annually for three years.
- Credentialing issue: Dentist asked an investigator with no medical or dental credentials to assist with patient x-rays.
- Location: Meadowlark Family Dentistry in Kelso, Washington.
A dentist in Washington accused of numerous infection control lapses, as well as asking a person with no dental or medical credentials to assist with patient x-rays, has been disciplined, according to the Washington State Department of Health.
Dr. Tatiana Trott signed a consent order with the state’s Dental Quality Assurance Commission, agreeing to pay a $10,000 fine plus $3,862 in costs, according to a press release dated August 26 from the state health department.
Additionally, Trott, the owner and operator of Meadowlark Family Dentistry in Kelso, WA, must pass a jurisprudence exam, complete 10 hours of continuing education in infection control, and undergo unannounced infection control inspections up to three times a year for three years, according to a press release.
In January, a state healthcare investigator conducted an infection control inspection at Trott’s practice, according to the state’s statement of charges.
During the visit, the inspector reportedly found many infection control violations, including:
- Unsterilized endodontic instruments
- Loose burs, composite rings, and air and water syringe tips in a drawer
- An unprotected x-ray machine
- Clutter in the observatories
- Documentation that suggested cold sterilization had last been changed two months prior
Furthermore, a patient was present in the practice's restorative room during the inspection. The patient had a half-full IV bag. When questioned about how the patient was sedated, Trott allegedly responded that the patient was on Halcion and the IV bag contained sterile water.
Since the patient's procedure had not been started, the inspector said the half-full bag indicated that it was reused, according to the statement of charges. Also, a dental assistant did not stay with the patient while Trott attended to the inspection.
Additionally, Trott allegedly asked the investigator, who had no medical or dental credentials, to assist with taking a patient’s x-rays, according to the statement of charges. Documents also revealed gaps in the frequency of spore testing.
