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| - 'Unfortunate error' in oral surgeon's background, by Michael Rothfeld, May 26, 2009 The mistake by McCormick, 49, who declined to be interviewed, highlights how little information is available to consumers from the agencies that are supposed to protect them. Both the dentist and the board, which took no disciplinary action against her, contributed to keeping the incident secret.
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| abstract
| - 'Unfortunate error' in oral surgeon's background, by Michael Rothfeld, May 26, 2009 The mistake by McCormick, 49, who declined to be interviewed, highlights how little information is available to consumers from the agencies that are supposed to protect them. Both the dentist and the board, which took no disciplinary action against her, contributed to keeping the incident secret. McCormick obtained a "gag clause" during settlement discussions so the boy's lawyer would not file a complaint against her with the board she would soon join, reducing the chances that she would be disciplined. The Dental Board, which investigates misconduct against its licensees, learned of the incident when McCormick reported the December 2005 malpractice settlement to the state, as legally required. But the board keeps settlement records confidential. Had the board sanctioned McCormick, consumers could have learned about the incident on the agency's website. But board staff, based on what they called a "cursory review," closed her case a few months after she was appointed. An outside consultant, a Northern California dentist who contacted McCormick but not Rossi or his family, concluded the matter did not warrant punishment, state officials said.
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