Update: NJ dentist suspended after bacterial infections

The New Jersey oral surgeon linked to 15 cases of bacterial endocarditis has had his practice suspended, according to an Associated Press report.

John Vecchione, DDS, agreed to suspend his practice until a meeting is held October 5 by the New Jersey Board of Dentistry, according to multiple reports.

Previous investigations by state health officials found "breaches of infection prevention practices" at the office where his patients had received IV sedation.

Twelve patients needed cardiac surgery as a result of their infection, with eight patients requiring valve replacements and four requiring valve repair procedures, noted the report by the New Jersey Department of Health. One patient died from complications of the infection and resulting cardiac surgery. The infections likely occurred during intravenous sedation, health department report concluded.