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Three former patients developed infections after being treated by the Colorado dentist who reused needles.
The information comes from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The diseases were not identified, in order to maintain patient confidentiality. Still, it’s possible the health department may not be capable of linking the infections to Dr. Stephen Stein’s illegal usage of needles.
The health department sent letters to roughly 8,000 of Stein’s patients to notify them that they should be tested for HIV and hepatitis B and C.
The Centers for Disease Control has been working on disease surveillance and stated it would provide updates regarding the situation at the beginning of every month.
Last month Colorado health officials announced that Stein was reusing needles on patients beginning in September 1999 through June 2011. Stein was using syringes and needles multiple times for various oral and facial surgery procedures.
Many of the patients impacted by this will sue. The problem is the doctor’s insurance coverage likely lapsed and there’s a limit to the amount people can collect from pain and suffering, according to Colorado laws.
There’s another investigation that continues regarding Stein and prescription fraud. He has already given up his dental license.
