Another former patient of embattled Chesapeake dentist Derrick Broadaway is planning to file a medical malpractice lawsuit after he said Broadaway's poor dental work caused a year-long infection in his mouth.
"This is like a nightmare," said Lamarr Price. "I've been on more pain medication and antibiotics than I have in my entire life."
Price said he went to see Broadaway in summer 2011 for a filling, but something happened during the procedure.
"He was like 'oops! I was like huh? Oops? And after I inquired about what's going on, he was like well I drilled too far down and I fractured your tooth, so I'm gonna have to do a root canal now," said Price.
Price showed NewsChannel 3 x-rays of his teeth after Broadaway's procedure.
"He left part of my tooth in there that he was supposed to take out," said Price. "He also left in some of the root canal material that shouldn't have been in there and that was the source of why I continued to have these infections."
Price thought he was alone until he saw NewsChannel 3's series of investigations on Broadaway. NewsChannel 3 initially tracked him down after employees claimed he wrote bad checks.
Days later, Chesapeake police arrested him. NewsChannel 3 also exposed three medical malpractice lawsuits against Broadaway. Former patients claimed his work left them "disfigured" and "permanently injured."
NewsChannel 3's digging uncovered Broadaway's 15-year history of violations with the Virginia Board of Dentistry. He's now on a stayed suspension, meaning he can practice as long as he doesn't violate the Board's rules. That decision came after a shotty root canal done on Rosemary Rogers.
"If I had known, I would have never stepped foot in that dentist's office," she said.
Price has already filed a formal complaint with the board. He's hired an attorney to sue Broadaway, too. He just wishes he'd known about the doctor's past before stepping foot in his office.
"There should be some type of sign that the Department of Health [Professionals] that says you may want to think twice before you select this dentist," Price said.
NewsChannel 3 asked a spokesperson with the Virginia Department of Health Professionals about that option, but they only referred to their website where people can look at dentists' records on their own.
Here's their statement:
"Transparency of health regulatory board decisions regarding state licensees is important.
The most expeditious way to inform constituents about board actions is through broadcasts such as yours to remind viewers that all matters of public record regarding the 350,000 licensees of Virginia’s 13 health regulatory boards across 80 professions is available online.
As studies show-- the Internet is the chief resource used by consumers of information. Constituents are encouraged to research the healthcare provider of their choice by visiting “License Lookup” at http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/ under the appropriate health regulatory board website to determine whether there is board action regarding a particular healthcare licensee authorized to work in the state of Virginia."
Related:
Chesapeake dentist arrested for bad checks pays former employees
Former employee of dentist arrested on bad checks charges speaks out
Chesapeake dentist accused of giving out bad checks turns himself in to police
Former patient of suspended Chesapeake dentist speaks out
Employees take action against dentist accused of handing out bad checks
Chesapeake dentist faces millions in medical malpractice lawsuits
