Knoxville, Tenn., dentist Clarence “Buzz” Nabers, DDS, has been accused of submitting forged certifications, improperly sterilizing tools, and asking dental hygienists and assistants to perform duties beyond their scope for four months in 2018, according to Knox News.
According to a July state health professions board disciplinary action report, Dr. Nabers had his dental staff perform work reserved solely for dentists, such as filling cavities, providing diagnoses and placing permanent crowns. Staff were allegedly asked to perform these duties when Dr. Nabers was short a dentist.
Dr. Nabers was also cited for improperly sterilizing dental equipment and forging certification documents, including a CPR certification. The state dental board claimed sterilization machines at Dr. Nabers’ practice were not regularly tested. Dental tools and syringes were also allegedly only wiped down with a sanitization cloth.
In one case, the dental board says disposable burs were placed in cold sterile solution and later reused, reports Knox News. Dr. Nabers said he has implemented new sterilization processes.
Dr. Nabers has been fined $11,000 by the Tennessee Board of Dentistry for the violations. His dental license is on probationary status for two years.
Knox News reports that Dr. Nabers did not inform his patients about the violations.
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