Well, it was criminal what Dr. Dwight Pemberton allegedly did. But, he has denied the charges.
The recent accusations at the Dayton VA Center prompted Turner's bill.
Officials say VA dentist, Dwight Pemberton, did not change gloves or sterilize equipment properly between patients, exposing them to the risk of infection.
Rep. Turner says he is upset the dentist was allowed to retire with benefits.
His bill would make similar crimes more like an assault charge, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
"Once the VA has the prospect of criminal prosecution as a real possibility, their administrative processes will handle these issues differently and respond more favorable," said Turner.
Whether this bill has any teeth is debatable. The VA Hospital oversight of the dental department was horrid and corrective measures should have been undertaken years before.
Was it the law, or just poor VA managers and federal bureaucracy?
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