Iowa Dentist’s License Revoked Following Sexual Misconduct Allegations

Repeated Complaints Lead to Professional Consequences

The Iowa Dental Board has revoked the license of Dr. Phelan Thomas, a 66-year-old dentist from West Des Moines, following a series of complaints about sexual impropriety with patients. The decision comes after a history of disciplinary actions and numerous patient grievances over the course of Dr. Thomas’s 38-year career.

Pattern of Inappropriate Behaviour

The board’s recent ruling focused on two specific cases from 2021 and 2022. In these instances, patients reported that Dr. Thomas made inappropriate comments and behaved in a manner that made them uncomfortable. One patient, identified as K.G., alleged that Dr. Thomas kissed her on the cheek and made suggestive remarks, including, “You know I really wish you didn’t have a boyfriend, so I could invite you over to my house and show you all the books and journals around my bed.”

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Another patient, K.R., reported that Dr. Thomas engaged in flirtatious behaviour, making comments about her mother’s appearance and whispering to her in a manner she found unsettling.

Previous Disciplinary Actions

This is not the first time Dr. Thomas has faced scrutiny from the dental board. In 2018, he was placed on a five-year probation for similar charges, including improper sexual contact or remarks to patients or coworkers. As part of his probation, Dr. Thomas was initially barred from being alone with female patients, though this condition was later modified to allow him to treat female patients with a baby monitor in the room and his office manager listening in.

Dentist’s Defense and Board’s Decision

Throughout the proceedings, Dr. Thomas denied any wrongdoing and argued that the complaints against him were motivated by racial bias. He suggested that some of the 30 complaints filed over his career were the product of racism, referring to complainants as “Karens” – a term often used to describe entitled females.

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The board acknowledged the possibility of racial discrimination in Dr. Thomas’s career, stating, “The board has no doubt that Dr. Thomas has suffered from racism during his 38 years of practicing dentistry.” However, they emphasized that the license revocation was based on his recent conduct with patients K.G. and K.R., not on the totality of past complaints.

Implications for Patient Trust and Professional Standards

This case highlights the ongoing challenges in maintaining professional standards and patient trust in the dental profession. The board’s decision to revoke Dr. Thomas’s license underscores the seriousness with which allegations of sexual misconduct are treated in the medical community.

As the dental profession continues to grapple with issues of patient safety and professional conduct, this case serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining clear boundaries and respecting patient dignity in all healthcare settings.