The Washington Dental Quality Assurance Commission recently disciplined two dentists in the state.
Joseph Zimmer, DDS, who practices in Seattle, had his dental license indefinitely suspended after failing to appear at a pre-hearing conference on charges he employed two dental assistants with expired licenses at his clinic, according to a June 24 news release from the Washington State Department of Health.
Before he is able to petition for reinstatement, Dr. Zimmer must pay a $5,000 fine and a $6,419 reimbursement, as well as complete a minimum of eight hours of continuing education in practice management.
The commission and Walter Foto, DMD, who practices in Tacoma, agreed to the indefinite suspension of his general anesthesia permit. From August 2016 to October 2021, Dr. Foto failed to comply with the safety requirements for general anesthesia in the care of 11 patients and did not adequately maintain patient records.
In addition to paying fees, Dr. Foto must complete courses in parenteral dental sedation, dental records documentation, fixed prosthodontics, endodontics, infection control and risk management, as well as pass an ethics exam and a jurisprudence exam prior to petitioning for reinstatement, the release said.