Dentist accused of giving unsafe drug doses to kids settles

An Oklahoma pediatric dentist has settled a case following an investigation and claims that she engaged in gross negligence by administering unsafe doses of a prescription drug to children, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Dr. Jennifer Burkitt, 49, will pay $150,000 in penalties to resolve a case that included claims of multiple violations of the U.S. Controlled Substance Act. She was charged after authorities discovered that multiple violations of the act had occurred between November 2020 and June 2022 following an inspection at her practice in Tulsa, according to a press release dated July 7 from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma.

Additionally, Burkitt was accused of failing to maintain effective controls against the diversion of controlled substances, practicing dentistry in an unsafe or unsanitary manner, failing to maintain complete and accurate records of controlled substances, failing to retain proper forms, and failing to maintain proper inventory, according to the release.