Disciplinary action against dental pros

The Minnesota Board of Dentistry disciplined seven dental professionals in the first half of 2011. Following are details from written agreements made between the board and individuals. The Mark W. Harris order was imposed.

Billy J. Bigler, dental assistant, Brainerd, stayed suspension, 10 hours of community service, $200 fine

Bigler failed to comply with license conditions placed in 2010 for making a false statement and for creating a fraudulent document that allowed him to do a job for which he wasn't licensed. Bigler submitted late paperwork and misrepresented how many credits he would receive for an ethics course. Bigler must comply with earlier conditions and take a time-management class.

Michael J. Bussa, dentist, Duluth, reprimand, 25 hours of community service, $5,000 fine

Bussa failed to pay $76,695 in federal income taxes over a three-year period and pleaded guilty in 2010 to tax evasion, a felony. He hid some of his business income in a personal bank account.

Mark W. Harris, dentist, Maplewood, temporary suspension

The board suspended Harris' license after it found probable cause that he violated statutes related to dentistry, and that his "continued practice would create an imminent risk of harm to others."

When her license was suspended in 2003 for owing state taxes, Orman worked for five years by submitting falsified letters to her employer that appeared to be from the Department of Revenue and claimed she was given a conditional license for making progress in paying her debt.

Paul D. Rue, dentist, St. Paul, reprimand

Rue was disciplined in Georgia in 2010 for leaving dental tool fragments in the root canal of a patient, under-filling another patient's canal and failing to tell either patient. Conditions on his license include classwork, a ban on doing root canals for up to four years and refunds to patients. The Minnesota board placed the same conditions on his Minnesota license.

Timothy E. Thompson, dentist, Winona, voluntary surrender of license

In October 2010, Thompson enrolled in a program to monitor his "substance use disorder," according to the board. Three months later he chose to no longer participate in the program.

Vander Eyk operated on an expired license for more than two years. She failed to update her mailing address with the board and said she didn't receive a renewal notice.