Wash. dentist charged after patient death in 2018

A Washington dentist has been charged with unprofessional conduct tied to the death of a patient in January 2018.

Ellis Burke Jardine, DMD, allegedly failed to report the cardiac arrest, hospital admission, and eventual death of a 51-year-old developmentally delayed patient, according to the Washington State Department of Health's Dental Quality Assurance Commission.

Additionally, Dr. Jardine, of Excel Dental in Battle Ground, failed to record the events, including the man's adverse reaction to anesthesia, until about a month after the patient's death, the commission stated in a news release on October 7.

Dentists must report to the state health department any patient deaths, life-threatening incidents, complications, permanent injuries, and hospital admissions that last more than 24 hours that may have been caused by dental procedures or treatments, according to the statement of charges.

Initial reports must be made by phone, email, or fax within 72 hours of discovery. Also, written reports must be submitted to the commission within 30 days.