Licence revoked after working drunk

André Williams, STAR Writer

The Dental Council of Jamaica says they are aware and treating seriously reports that a dentist whose licence was revoked in the United States has relocated to Jamaica and is practising the trade here, THE WEEKEND STAR understands.

Information reaching our news team is that the dentist was arrested by police in the United States and charged with treating patients while drunk.

According to one media source, the board of dentistry in the state in which he was practising decided to revoke his licence.

The board had previously issued an emergency order to suspend his licence.

The article which had a statement from the board, made claims that the dentist; "...admitted to being an alcoholic and while he has obtained an evaluation, he has not entered into treatment and continues to drink".

It is alleged that the dentist was arrested in October of last year. He reportedly failed to complete sobriety tests and refused a blood alcohol test. He was charged with reckless endangerment, driving under the influence and violation of implied consent.

According to another media source, the dentist spent two days in jail and served probation after showing up to work drunk and treating patients while under the influence.

New job

Reports are that he pleaded no contest to the charges and was released.

Following that, it is said that the dentist closed his practice, sold his house, moved to Jamaica and already has a new job.

Yesterday when our news team contacted the Dental Council of Jamaica, Chief Dental Officer for Jamaica, Dr Irving Mckenzie, said they are aware of all reports and are using due diligence.

Mckenzie said, "We got the full report. He was registered in Jamaica in 2013 but not practising. We don't know of him practising here now. we have done our due diligence and are investigating with all efforts."

He continued, "Whenever someone is guilty of an offence, the matter is brought before the council and the council will decide from our perspective. But, yes, we got the report first-hand. It was actually sent to every jurisdiction where he has been."

THE WEEKEND STAR was unsuccessful with attempts made to speak with the dentist at the centre of the controversy.

Meanwhile, the Board of Dentistry has disciplined him twice in the past.

In October 2003, he extracted a tooth from an 11-year-old child at a Halloween party without the consent of the child's parents, according to the Department of Health records.

In the second case, he was disciplined in June 2007 for performing a procedure on a patient, and failing to document that he had proper permission to perform it.