For immediate release: February 10, 2009 (09-022)

Contacts:
Taylor Stair, Disciplinary Manager 360-236-4886
Gordon MacCracken, Communications Office 360-236-4072

OLYMPIA ¾ A Burien dentist accused of putting patients and staff at risk because of not properly testing sterilization equipment has been immediately suspended. The Dental Quality Assurance Commission and the state Department of Health took that action against the license of Parivash Khajavi (DE00007998). Khajavi owns Burien Family Dentistry.

This action, called a summary suspension, means Khajavi cannot practice or be employed as a dentist in Washington pending the outcome of a hearing.

The statement of charges says Khajavi put patients and staff at an unreasonable risk of harm by failing to conduct biological spore testing on the sterilizing equipment used to disinfect dental instruments. The instruments were used on patients at Burien Family Dentistry throughout 2008. Instruments and supplies must be sterilized before being used on patients.

Khajavi has 20 days to request a show cause hearing and 20 days to respond to the statement of charges. The charging documents are online; click "Provider Credential Search" on the agency home page (www.doh.wa.gov). They are also available by calling 360-236-4700.

The Dental Quality Assurance Commission protects and promotes public health, safety and welfare in Washington by regulating dentists’ competency and quality. The commission’s rules, policies and procedures promote the delivery of quality health care to state residents.

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