A traveling oral surgeon living in Pennsylvania allegedly altered patient medical records of drug usage to conceal her own personal drug use, according to the Bucks County Courier Times.
Pranathi V. Reddy, DMD, is charged with possession of a controlled substance by misrepresentation and drug possession with intent to deliver, as well as drug possession, refusal to keep records as required by law and tampering with evidence.
On Oct. 14, 2018, police responded to a report of an overdose at Dr. Reddy's home. They found the dentist on the floor and used Narcan to revive her, court documents state.
Authorities said Dr. Reddy performed surgeries at Pittston, Pa.-based Casey Dental on June 24, 2018, Aug. 4, 2018, and Oct. 13, 2018. Dr. Reddy allegedly changed the sedation records of those three days she performed surgery to make it seem like more medication had been used. She said she changed them because she didn't initially sign the records, authorities said.
The U.S. Attorney's Office fined Dr. Reddy $150,000 to resolve allegations that she mishandled opioids and kept controlled substances for personal use. Federal authorities also said Dr. Reddy would be banned from purchasing, prescribing or dispensing Schedule II controlled substances for at least four years. The dentist also failed to maintain records of controlled substances at five Pennsylvania practices between June 2017 and November 2018, authorities said.
The Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs temporarily suspended Dr. Reddy's license in November 2018, stating that the dentist performed surgery on 16 patients while wearing a fentanyl patch. Her license was reinstated in June.
Dr. Reddy's preliminary hearing is set for Sept. 2.