Former Smiles 4 Kids at Allenmore Hospital in Tacoma, Wash., office manager, Lisa Walker, filed a complaint with the Washington State Dental Quality Assurance Commission alleging the practice reused disposable Isolite mouthpieces, according to Kiro 7.
The complaint alleges various practices in the chain are instructed to reuse the disposable mouthpieces. The Isolate mouthpiece is labeled disposable.
Ms. Walker was asked to transfer to a different Smiles 4 Kids practice in Tacoma. There, she alleges the Isolite mouthpieces were soaking in cold sterilization solutions while others were drying for reuse.
The office manager brought the issue up with the company's compliance officer. However, the compliance officer allegedly took no further action.
Justin VanBibber, DDS, and Lone Peak Management Group are accused of instructing Smiles 4 Kids and other pediatric practices in the chain to reuse the mouthpieces.
The Washington State Dental Association is aware of the complaint and is conducting an investigation.
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The complaint alleges various practices in the chain are instructed to reuse the disposable mouthpieces. The Isolate mouthpiece is labeled disposable.
Ms. Walker was asked to transfer to a different Smiles 4 Kids practice in Tacoma. There, she alleges the Isolite mouthpieces were soaking in cold sterilization solutions while others were drying for reuse.
The office manager brought the issue up with the company's compliance officer. However, the compliance officer allegedly took no further action.
Justin VanBibber, DDS, and Lone Peak Management Group are accused of instructing Smiles 4 Kids and other pediatric practices in the chain to reuse the mouthpieces.
The Washington State Dental Association is aware of the complaint and is conducting an investigation.
More articles on dentists:
New ADA policy 'strongly discourages' direct-to-consumer dental services: 4 things to know
Iowa dental board restricts dentist from practicing after violating competency rules: 4 insights
Drs. Danielle Barnes, Christopher Neal & more: 5 dentists making headlines