KRDO13 Investigates: State suspends El Paso County dentist’s license over infection-control and med spa concerns

Key Points:

• The Colorado Dental Board suspended Dr. Scott Hirsbrunner’s license on Sept. 11 due to allegations of substandard patient care, infection-control failures, and performing med spa procedures beyond his dental license scope.
• An investigation was prompted by a patient complaint, revealing Hirsbrunner failed to take required panoramic X-rays before wisdom tooth extractions and performed unjustified scaling and root planing on the same day.
• The board identified nine significant infection-control deficiencies at White Diamond Dental, including improper sterilization practices, lack of spore and waterline testing, failure to use sterile gloves during surgery, and inadequate employee training and documentation.
• Hirsbrunner also operated a med spa offering procedures like laser treatments without proper medical licensing, which the board deemed outside the scope of his dental license; he has since arranged for a medical doctor to serve as medical director.
• The suspension prohibits Hirsbrunner from practicing or employing dental staff, with his offices closed to patients; he claims to have addressed the deficiencies and is seeking license reinstatement while disciplinary proceedings continue.