Dentist's Suspension: Unsanitary Practices Exposed

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Spokane County dentist Sandy Fletcher Montano has been suspended for unsanitary practices, the Washington State Department of Health reported on Monday.

In April, the Dental Quality Assurance Commission indefinitely suspended Montano's dentist license for subpar sanitation and infection control standards, according to the DOH.

Between Nov. 8 and Nov. 16, 2021, the DOH reports, Montano worked at Deer Park Dental in Deer Park, Washington where she allegedly failed to maintain clean water lines, did not use clean gloves, and mixed powdered charcoal and pumice with toothpaste.

Montano is further accused of soaking dry shield suctions in paint thinner and Ajax solution and mixing topical gel with non-ingestible lidocaine, a local anesthetic agent commonly used for local and topic anesthesia, according to the DOH.

According to the DOH's investigation, Montano allegedly employed an unlicensed dental assistant and declined to allow investigators to inspect the clinic.

Before petitioning for reinstatement, Montano must complete a mental and physical examination, the DOH reports further.