The Pennsylvania Board of Dentistry voted Friday to accept an agreement with York County dentist Dr. Jacqueline Marcin that could allow her to practice dentistry again.
The vote came a few days after state investigators revealed she wasn’t sterilizing tools properly. The Department of Health asked patients who had work done by Dr. Marcin beyond a routine cleaning to be tested for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV. The recommendation applies to patients dating back to 1994.
Health officials say no patients have tested positive for any of those illnesses.
Under the agreement accepted Friday, Marcin’s license remains suspended.Her office in Springettsbury Townhip is closed.
She can complete a series of requirements and then ask to resume practicing on a probationary basis. Those requirements include: a 20-hour course on infection control; completing recommendations of an infection control consultant who’s already visited her office; additional hours of continuing education; cooperate with Department of State investigations; agree to random office inspections; agree to be overseen by a practice monitor who’s unaffiliated with her office.
The probationary period would be for five years.
During the hearing, which Marcin did not attend, her attorneys pointed out she’s had a good record until now. They also pointed out she graduated first in her class from dental school.
A former employee called investigators to complain about a pay issue. But, when an investigator went to Marcin’s office, the sterilization issue was discovered.
Her attorneys said she and her staff members already have taken an eight-hour course in infection control and passed with high marks.
“Practices that were called into question were immediately addressed and remediated by Dr. Marcin and her staff,” said Marcin’s attorney, Frank Marshall. He read from a statement and declined to answer questions on camera. He asked Fox43 to email him. When he responds, we’ll post his answers.
Members of the Board of Dentistry questioned Marcin’s skills as a dentist, saying part of demonstrating those good skills is following appropriate infection control measures. Another board member noted dentists are expected to adhere to good practices when as soon as they’re licensed, not when they’re caught.
Board chairperson Dr. Lisa Poole Deem questioned how Marcin could have graduated at the top of her class but not known proper sterilization techniques.
The board went into executive session to discuss the case behind closed doors. Members voted to accept the agreement without any no votes.
Following the hearing, board members wouldn’t explain their decision-making process.
“The only comment that I can make is that the board is charged solely with protecting the interests of the public, and that all of our decision making is informed keeping that charge in mind,” said Dr. Deem.
Fox43 asked her, “If you guys are tasked with determining whether Dr. Marcin can practice again, is there any kind of reassurance you can give to the public if indeed she does?”
She responded, “From my understanding, the consent agreement will be made public, and then you can decide that on your own.”