KRDO13 Investigates: Colorado Springs dentist on probation, dental offices not routinely inspected for infection control
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - Colorado does not routinely inspect dental offices for infection control, KRDO13 Investigates has learned, as another Colorado Springs dentist faces discipline after state inspectors uncovered nine problems at his practice.
Dr. Bryce Jay Nielson, who practices at Premier Dental near the Citadel Mall, is on probation for 12 months after a complaint prompted a surprise inspection that revealed inconsistent spore testing and failures to properly sterilize equipment.
It's the second local dental infection-control case KRDO13 Investigates has uncovered in two weeks. Both inspections were prompted by complaints, raising questions about how problems are identified before patients are put at risk.
What inspectors found
A complaint alleging substandard infection-control practices prompted an inspection of Nielson’s office on Sept. 1.
According to the Colorado Dental Board’s final order, inspectors identified nine deficiencies:
- Missing infection-control compliance manuals and training logs.
- Missing protocols for managing exposures.
- Inconsistent spore testing.
- Missing dental-unit waterline testing or treatment logs.
- Expired materials that had not been discarded in treatment rooms.
- Improper sterilization of endodontic sponges.
- Failure to sterilize a lab lathe wheel and discard pumice after each patient.
- Failure to comply with board rules for controlled-substance logbooks.
- Missing on-site assistant radiology certificates.
Nielson initially agreed to stop practicing under a non-disciplinary interim agreement effective Sept. 18. That agreement also prohibited dental care at the Premier Dental location while it remained in effect.
The Sept. 28 final order replaced that agreement with probation and corrective requirements.
Nielson and every staff member working at either of his two practice locations must complete at least seven hours of approved infection-control training. Both practices must undergo random, unannounced inspections, followed by additional unannounced inspections at least six months after passing.
If inspectors find unresolved or new material infection-control deficiencies, Nielson and his staff must repeat the training and inspection process until those deficiencies are corrected.
The order says Nielson submitted a corrective-action report on Sept. 24 that satisfied the board’s reporting requirement. It does not state that he has passed the required inspections.
KRDO13 Investigates called and emailed Premier Dental to give Nielson an opportunity to respond. He had not responded as of publication.
Inspections triggered by complaints
The findings come two weeks after KRDO13 Investigates reported on Dr. Scott Hirsbrunner of White Diamond Dental in Monument.
His license was suspended after a patient complaint led to an inspection that identified nine infection-control problems. Hirsbrunner told KRDO13 Investigates he corrected the problems.
He also said friends and family in the industry told him their offices could face similar findings.
"They all said you know what, we would have had the same thing happen to us. It's common in offices if they investigate heavily enough," Hirsbrunner said.
His comments prompted KRDO13 Investigates to ask state regulators how dental offices are inspected.
The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) said dental offices are not regulated as facilities. Instead, the Colorado Dental Board regulates the individual professionals who practice in them and may order an office inspection after receiving a complaint.
142 complaints in five years
DORA said it received 142 complaints over the last five years alleging dentists failed to meet generally accepted infection-control standards.
Of those, 86 cases resulted in an action other than dismissal, including disciplinary actions, voluntary surrenders or other agreements.
DORA said inspections are tracked by complaints against individual licensees, rather than by location.
For Nielson, probation will continue beyond the minimum 12 months unless he completes all requirements and the Dental Board approves his request to end it.
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