News

 

FDA proposes to FL Board of Dentistry that assistants be allowed to scale and probe

 

To all FL hygienists:

If you treasure your profession and do not want the general public to be compromised in any way at all please print out the enclosed letter and send it to Ms. Martin. Thank you.

The FDA is proposing to the BOD on Dec. 6th that a rule change go into effect that would allow dental assistants to scale supragingivally as well as be allowed to probe. Rumor has it that if it does not pass on the 6th that the FDA has plans to go to the legislature with this for a law change.

If either of these things happens the profession of Dental Hygiene as we know it in the state of FL will change forever and will not be what we have worked so hard to attain as well as the protection of the general public will be at risk and it is our duty to protect these patients.

 So please print out the below form and send it in. Thanks in advance. Jane Weiner, RDH. So so proud to be the: 2003 Recipient of the Dr. Esther M. Wilkins Distinguished Alumni Award 2005 Recipient of the Philips Oral Health Care/RDH Magazine Mentor of the Year Award 2006 Recipient of the Sunstar Butler Award of Distinction Owner of Jane Weiner, RDH, Board Reviews, Inc. http://www.janewrdh.com

 For form: click here

Dental tech charged with operating without license

By BETH BURGER
bburger@bradenton.com

A 71-year-old dental technician was charged Wednesday with practicing a health care profession without a license.

Thomas N. Lorenzo, of the 4400 block of 56th Terrace East, was arrested after authorities received an anonymous tip he was running the Quality Dental Lab without a license, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

Lorenzo, who has been practicing in the area for several years, had a license but let it slip about four years ago, said sheriff's office spokesman Dave Bristow.

However, Eulinda Jackson, deputy press secretary for the Department of Health said there was no record of Lorenzo having a license.

 The lab, Quality Dental Lab, 6328 14th St. W., showed a null and void license in 1995 as the last record, Jackson said. Dental labs are licensed annually through the Department of Health.

 Lorenzo was arrested after he fixed broken dentures for a Department of Health investigator in a sting operation for $80.

The lab is supposed to get referrals from dentists before doing work, Bristow said.

Bristow said the work performed on the dentures was considered adequate. The sheriff's office had not received complaints about Lorenzo's work, he said.

As of Wednesday evening, Lorenzo was being held on $1,000 bond. He has his initial court appearance today.

The charge of running an unlicensed practice of health care profession is a third degree felony, Bristow said. The maximum penalty is no more than five years in prison.

On Wednesday evening, there were two cars parked outside the office in a dingy white building with block lettering. The blinds were down over several broken windows. A man who answered the door there declined to comment.

 Source:  http://www.bradenton.com/local/story/174722.html