Urbandale Dentist Fined for Sloppy Practices

An Urbandale dentist has been fined $5,000 after being accused of sloppy infection-control practices.

The Des Moines Register reports one of Dr. Jay Buckley’s dental assistants told state regulators Buckley was violating sanitation rules. For example, she said that sometimes instead of changing gloves between patients, he would wash them with soap and water, Iowa Dental Board records show.

Gibson said Buckley didn’t give the staff enough time to clean exam rooms between patients, the documents say. A state investigator also found fault with some of Buckley’s procedures for sterilizing equipment.

The Iowa Dental Board ruled earlier this month that Buckley “repeatedly and willfully failed to maintain safety and sanitary conditions in his dental practice”; the dentist disputed the allegations, the Register said. Buckley must pay the fine and serve five years probation; have infection-control training for himself and his staff; and have another dentist monitor his practice.

Buckley’s lawyer, Steven Wandro, told the Register he will appeal the dental board’s decision in court. “The case was built around a disgruntled employee who was fired,” Wandro said.

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