A former office manager filed a lawsuit against Palm Springs, Calif.-based dentist Gregg Balis, DDS, for wrongful termination and discrimination, according to KESQ.
Here are five insights.
1. Dr. Balis is also accused of hiring a hygienist who regularly treated patients using unsanitary equipment. The hygienist allegedly treated one patient who was HIV-positive with unsanitary tools, risking a potential outbreak.
2. The office manager alleges she warned Dr. Balis of the unsanitary issues; however, Dr. Balis kept the hygienist on staff after an agreement with the hygienist not to report other regulatory violations at the practice.
3. Patients who allegedly received treatment with unsanitary equipment were not informed. Dr. Balis is also accused of allowing the hygienist to administer anesthesia when he was late for an appointment.
4. The office manager in her lawsuit alleges after her brief romantic relationship with Dr. Balis, he was discriminatory against her with an emphasis about her age.
5. Dr. Balis could not be reached by KESQ, but in a statement provided to the court, Dr. Balis says the office manager's termination was due to "legitimate business reasons." He did not comment on the unsanitary equipment use allegations.
More articles on dentists:
Dr. Harold Tu joins HHS task force to combat opioid epidemic: 5 quick facts
Henry Schein taps new US Medical Group President: 5 takeaways
Wisconsin dentist closes his practice amid allegations he charged fees against no-show patients
Here are five insights.
1. Dr. Balis is also accused of hiring a hygienist who regularly treated patients using unsanitary equipment. The hygienist allegedly treated one patient who was HIV-positive with unsanitary tools, risking a potential outbreak.
2. The office manager alleges she warned Dr. Balis of the unsanitary issues; however, Dr. Balis kept the hygienist on staff after an agreement with the hygienist not to report other regulatory violations at the practice.
3. Patients who allegedly received treatment with unsanitary equipment were not informed. Dr. Balis is also accused of allowing the hygienist to administer anesthesia when he was late for an appointment.
4. The office manager in her lawsuit alleges after her brief romantic relationship with Dr. Balis, he was discriminatory against her with an emphasis about her age.
5. Dr. Balis could not be reached by KESQ, but in a statement provided to the court, Dr. Balis says the office manager's termination was due to "legitimate business reasons." He did not comment on the unsanitary equipment use allegations.
More articles on dentists:
Dr. Harold Tu joins HHS task force to combat opioid epidemic: 5 quick facts
Henry Schein taps new US Medical Group President: 5 takeaways
Wisconsin dentist closes his practice amid allegations he charged fees against no-show patients