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State reaches tentative agreement with dentist

2014.

State authorities have reached tentative agreements with Dr. John D. Stover over 11 of the 12 complaints filed against him for his medical and dental work.

Stover, an oral surgeon and dentist, practiced in Hilo, Kona and Waimea, doing business as Cosmetic Centers of Hawaii. He closed his offices on April 11 as complaints about his conduct escalated.

The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs website was updated late Monday showing that a "pre-petition settlement agreement" was filed on April 15 for 11 of complaints, including six that were filed this year, three last year and two in 2012. 

The outcomes remain "pending" because such settlements are subject to approval or disapproval by the Hawaii Medical Board and the Board of Dental Examiners. The medical board next meets on May 8 and the dental board on May 19.

Among the allegations listed in the complaints were that Stover had failed to comply with laws relating to work performance, laws governing professional conduct, and licensing laws or rules. One complaint accused him of aiding and abetting an unlicensed person.

Friends and supporters of Kristen Tavares had picketed Stover’s office in Hilo asking the state to revoke his licenses, after she plunged into a coma while having her wisdom teeth extracted on March 17. Tavares, 24, was a certified nurse assistant who recently gave birth to her second son. She has been unresponsive at Maui Memorial Medical Center.

The medical and dental boards have the option of putting licensees on probation or suspending or revoking licenses, or the license can be surrendered voluntarily. A source said that Stover had agreed to give up his licenses. The website shows that his medical and dental licenses are "current, valid and in good standing."

A single medical complaint filed this year, MED-2014-0090L, remains pending on the website, with no tentative settlement. The nature of the allegation is confidential.

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