State proposes two agreements to settle complaints against dentist

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State officials are proposing two agreements to settle 11 of the 12 complaints against Dr. John D. Stover for medical and dental work.

The pre-petition settlement agreements, filed April 15, will be sent to the state Medical Board and state Board of Dental Examiners for consideration.

One of the agreements includes a complaint filed in response to Kristen Tavares, a 24-year-old Hilo woman, falling into a coma while having her wisdom teeth removed by Stover, a state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs spokesman confirmed.

The proposed settlements are confidential prior to board action.

Such agreements can involve suspension, probation or revocation of a license, the spokesman said.

The medical board will next meet May 8, while the dental board will meet May 19.

The allegations include failure to comply with laws relating to work performance, aiding and abetting an unlicensed person, failure to comply with laws governing professional conduct, and failure to comply with licensing laws or rules.

DCCA’s website says the medical complaint not part of the proposed settlements is pending. No information on its allegations was available.

Several other complaints involving Stover, who practiced plastic surgery in addition to dentistry, are in the pipeline, the department’s spokesman said.

Seven of the complaints were filed this year. Three were filed in 2013, while another two were filed in 2012.

Stover’s offices in Hilo, Waimea and Kealakekua are closed.

He has done business under the name Cosmetic Centers of Hawaii.

Even though agreements are being proposed, the department will still process complaints against Stover, the spokesman said.

Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.