The Iowa Dental Board recently sanctioned a dentist for allegedly failing to detect cancer in a patient's mouth, the Iowa Capital Dispatch reported Feb. 25.
The board charged Chad Lensch, DDS, with failing to maintain a reasonable standard of competency. Dr. Lensch allegedly failed to recognize dark spots on a patient’s gums as a potential sign of cancer. The patient was diagnosed several years later with mouth cancer, but the delayed diagnosis allegedly resulted in the removal of part of the patient’s lower jaw.
As part of a settlement between the dentist and the board, Dr. Lensch must complete a pathology course by Nov. 1.