Dentist In Reused Needle Case Also Investigated For Prescription Fraud
DENVER (CBS4)- The Denver Police Department has an ongoing criminal investigation of Dr. Stephen Stein for alleged prescription fraud.
This comes after the state health department's investigation that Dr. Stein also reused needles which put thousands of patients at risk for HIV and Hepatitis.
Dr. Stein practiced at two offices, one in Highlands Ranch the other at East 1st and Jackson in Denver.
A letter is being mailed to thousands of his former patients from the Colorado Department of Health and Environment, recommending they get tested for HIV and Hepatitis B and C.
The letter states that unsafe reuse of syringes and needles occurred at the offices of Dr. Stein between September 1999 and June 2011.
It's not the first time Dr. Stein, a prominent oral surgeon, has come to the attention of the Colorado Dental Board. Last year an agreement was reached with him to stop practicing.
"It means he has agreed to stop practicing. We could have made him stop practicing, that would have provided an opportunity to go to a hearing. So, to prevent that from happening, we offered him an opportunity for him to agree to stop practicing and he took advantage of that opportunity," said State Dental Board member Maulid Miskel.
The agreement states Dr. Stein deliberately and willfully violated Colorado Dental Practice Law.
Rose Medical Center also took action involving Dr. Stein in an unrelated investigation. It was that investigation that led to the information that he was reusing syringes and needles.
Dr. Stephen Colm is an oral surgeon who does not know Dr. Stein. He demonstrated for CBS 4 On Your Side Investigator Rick Sallinger how he sterilizes his tools and disposes of the syringes used in IVs.
"We're taught sterile technique for the patient as well as for ourselves. One time use of all materials," said Colm.
The reuse of syringes and needles can lead to infections from HIV and Hepatitis B and C.
Dr. Stein could be facing criminal charges as well as civil lawsuits.
"We have been contacted by many of Dr. Stein's previous patients who have been both shocked and freightened that they may have been contaminated by a life-threatening disease," said Medical Malpractice Attorney Hollynd Hoskins. "Unfortunately all they can do right now is get tested."
Dr. Stein has not responded to repeated efforts to contact him.
The Denver Police Department opened their case on prescription fraud in connection to Dr. Stein in April.
Steins agreed to stop practicing on June 24, 2011. He sold his practice in Highlands Ranch in September 2011 and the practice of reusing needles and syringes stopped.
The state is working with the Tri-County Health Department and Denver Public Health as the investigation continues.
LINK: CDPHE FAQs
LINK: DORA Information On Filing Complaints Against Dentists
