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Patient Blames Illness On Dentist Allegedly Using Dirty Needles

DENVER (CBS4) - About 8,000 people have received letters from the state health department advising them to get tested for diseases including HIV and hepatitis after a dentist allegedly used dirty needles on patients.

CBS4 has also learned the Denver Police Department is investigating Dr. Stephen Stein for prescription drug fraud.

Robin McLean accuses Stein of making her sick and says he has destroyed her life. The illnesses she contracted have certainly changed her life. While not definitively linked, she says she always attributed it to her surgery with Stein. The new allegations have confirmed that for her.

Hearing the terms "HIV" and "hepatitis" couldn't be more frightening for Stein's patients.

"Death sentence, that was my first thought," a patient who didn't want to be identified said.

"It's kind of a shock, it's devastating really," McLean said.

In 1999 after an oral surgery in Stein's office, McLean got sick.

"Probably 48 hours after having it done my jaw bone began to swell and became red," she said.

Stephen Stein
Stephen Stein (credit: drstephenstein.com)

The bacterial infection she contracted sent her to the hospital and there she contracted methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Since that time McLean has dealt with several hospital stays, severe illness and financial loss.

"I've had to file for bankruptcy; I have no medical insurance, so basically it's been over $800,000."

She says the most recent allegations against Stein cements her belief that he is responsible for her illness and says she's likely not the only one.

"I hate to think that there are other people out there, but I'm sure that there are."

CBS4 tried to track down Stein at his last known address but neighbors say he moved out two days ago.

McLean says even if she were to see Stein face to face, she isn't sure what she would say.

"I don't know that I could say anything to him."

But she would like some answers.

"It would be nice to have some sort of explanation and understanding."

McLean says she will be tested for HIV and hepatitis under the supervision of the state health department next week. She is still battling the MRSA infection.

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