Tomah VA dentist refused to talk with investigators

Baldwin proposes new subpoena law

The Tomah Veterans Affairs Medical Center dentist who resigned in December after failing to follow proper sterilization procedures declined to talk with investigators from the VA’s Office of Inspector General, a report said Thursday.

The unnamed dentist violated VA regulations by using his own equipment, then cleaning it and reusing it, potentially putting hundreds of veterans at risk for infection.

The Tomah VA notified 592 patients treated by the dentist in order to conduct follow-up tests.

“The most important thing is that no one was harmed,” said Tomah VA Medical Center Director Victoria Brahm. “There are no positives to any of these results. More than 90 percent of the 592 veterans have been treated or have declined being tested.”

Brahm said the facility has made great strides in improving the dental department through more training and inspections and has fulfilled three of the four recommendations made by the inspector general. A new dental clinic is scheduled to open.

The VA Office of Inspector General conducted the health inspection at the request of several politicians, including Wisconsin’s two U.S. senators, Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson.

Baldwin said she was “extremely troubled” that the dentist “was able to shield himself from being questioned by investigators by simply resigning.”

“This tactic needs to change, so I am working on legislation that will provide the VA Office of Inspector General the power to subpoena testimony from any former VA employees so they can’t walk away from answering questions,” she said. “A resignation or a retirement shouldn’t prevent a bad actor from being held accountable.”

Johnson said: “I’m glad the dentist who put America’s veterans at great risk is no longer employed at the Tomah VA. His actions were more than disturbing and provoked my request for the VA inspector general to conduct an investigation. I will continue my oversight to ensure that the finest among us receive the quality care that they deserve.”