Dwight Pemberton, DDS, the dentist at the Veterans' Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Dayton, OH, whose lax infection control practices potentially exposed hundreds of patients to hepatitis and HIV, was recommended for a 6.2% annual raise in 2010, according to a story in the Dayton Daily News.
Dr. Pemberton, who retired last month in the midst of an ongoing investigation, got a 2.56% raise instead, bringing his annual pay to $165,878 -- despite his supervisors being aware of his actions for several years, according to the Daily News.
Dr. Pemberton had been employed at the Dayton VA for 35 years.
The VA has notified 535 veterans that they may have been exposed to hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV by Dr. Pemberton between 1992 and 2010 because he allegedly failed to change his gloves and sterilize tools between patients. Of these, the VA has tested 375 for hepatitis and HIV, and nine have tested positive for hepatitis.
More test results will be released in coming weeks, according to the VA Healthcare System of Ohio. Epidemiological testing will then be used to determine if any confirmed cases resulted from exposure at the Dayton VA dental clinic.
