Rhode Island dentist who defied vaccination mandate ordered to stop seeing patients

A Rhode Island dentist who defied the state's COVID-19 vaccination mandate for healthcare providers has been ordered by the state health department to stop seeing patients, WJAR, an NBC affiliate, reported.

Cranston, R.I.-based Stephen Skoly, DMD, told The Providence Journal he would not be vaccinated Sept. 30. The state's mandate, which required all healthcare workers be vaccinated or risk losing their license, went into effect Oct. 1.

"I'm not an anti-vaxxer," Dr. Skoly told The Journal. "I recommend it when it's appropriate."

The Rhode Island Department of Health Director Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, filed the order Oct. 1 stating that Dr. Skoly must not see patients until he has complied with the state's mandate, WJAR reported Oct 2. Dr. Skoly may schedule a hearing within 10 days of the order.

Joseph Wendelken, spokesperson for the Rhode Island Department of Health, told Becker's the department could not comment on matters being investigated. Becker's has contacted Dr. Skoly's office for comment and will update this story when more information becomes available.

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