An Australian dentist who developed a way of straightening children's teeth using elastic bands has been fined nearly $25,000 (U.S.) after harming a young patient with the device two years ago, according to an article in the Age newspaper.
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal found that Ari Masters, DDS, had inflicted significant harm with potentially lifelong consequences upon his patient because the treatment resulted in substantial bone tissue loss. Dr. Masters was also accused of failing to inform his patient's parents of the risk of the procedure.
The tribunal found that Dr. Masters had ignored long-established dental science and raised questions about other potential gaps in his knowledge. In addition to being fined, cautioned, and reprimanded, the tribunal will perform an audit of Dr. Masters' files from 15 different patients.
In 2009, Dr. Masters was disciplined and fined $17,500 (Australian) for using before-and-after testimonials touting the effectiveness of a mouthguard device, called Myobrace, on his website, a practice banned by the Australian Dental Practice Act. Testimony before the Dental Practice Board stated that there was no scientific foundation for claims made about the product.
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