The Iowa Dental Board revoked the dental license of Phelan Thomas, DDS, a dentist in West Des Moines, Iowa, on three counts, including improper contact with a patient or coworker and unprofessional conduct.
Dr. Thomas, who has been practicing for 38 years, has received 30 complaints during that time. He has denied any wrongdoing, according to Iowa Dental Board documents.
The counts brought by the board against Dr. Thomas include improper sexual contact with, or making suggestive, lewd, lascivious or improper remarks or advances to, a patient or a coworker; unprofessional or unethical conduct; and failing to comply with an order of the board, according to documents from the Iowa Dental Board.
In 2018, Dr. Thomas was charged with failing to maintain satisfactory standards, making improper sexual conduct with a patient or coworker and failing to comply with precautions for preventing and controlling infectious diseases. Dr. Thomas entered an agreement with the board and was placed on probation for five years, which expired April 5, 2024.
As part of the agreement, Dr. Thomas was prohibited from being alone with female patients and was required to submit surveillance forms from his staff to the board as well as pay the board quarterly monitoring fees.
In 2021 and 2022, two patients filed complaints against Dr. Thomas, alleging Dr. Thomas made inappropriate comments and disregarded their dental care concerns. According to the Iowa Dental Board, Dr. Thomas failed to submit monthly surveillance reports and monitoring fees during his probation.