I agree with Andrew Hall in his letter (March 28) when he stated “there is absolutely no excuse for an oversight system so lax that it is essentially pointless.” He further questioned, “Where is the Attorney General’s office”?
The Maine Board of Dental Practice expressed similar sentiments when it originally suspended Jan Kippax’s license, citing numerous allegations of professional misconduct. The board has complained about the quality of legal support it receives from the AG’s office. In fact, it threatened to cease payments for the state lawyers beginning March 1.
The situation violates the well accepted fundamental management principle of responsibility with authority. The board has been given the responsibility to oversee practicing dentists without the authority (or teeth) it needs to do its job.
I do not fault the Board of Dental Practice as much as the almost impossible situation in which it operates.
Kirk Lundstrom, Lewiston
Send questions/comments to the editors.
