The Colorado Dental Board announced on Sept. 11 that it has suspended Dr. Scott Hirsbrunner’s dental license effective immediately. The board said emergency action was required to protect public health, safety and welfare after it identified nine serious deficiencies at his White Diamond Dental office in Monument, Colorado.

Key findings from the board’s investigation

According to the board’s order, a former patient filed a complaint on April 13 alleging substandard treatment and violations of accepted infection‑control standards. An unannounced inspection by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies uncovered the following problems:

• Failure to take panoramic X‑rays before extracting a patient’s wisdom teeth.
• Unjustified scaling and root planing performed on the same day as the extraction.
• Failure to conduct required spore and dental‑waterline testing.
• Improper instrument‑sterilization practices and lack of documented sterilization procedures.
• Use of non‑sterile examination gloves during dental surgery.
• Insufficient employee tuberculosis testing.
• No written infectious‑waste contract.
• Performing intense pulsed‑light photofacials, laser hair removal and carbon‑dioxide laser skin resurfacing at an adjacent medspa, activities outside the scope of a dental license.

Dr. Hirsbrunner acknowledged several of the deficiencies, stating that the office had been “sterilizing properly” but that documentation was lacking. He also admitted that the practice had used regular examination gloves during extractions and that some employees had not completed required TB testing.

Medspa services deemed outside dental scope

The board determined that Dr. Hirsbrunner’s role as medical director of Beody Wellness Medspa, located adjacent to his dental office, violated Colorado law. He performed photofacials, laser hair removal and CO₂ laser skin resurfacing—procedures the board says are not authorized under a dental license, regardless of any training or certification received from equipment manufacturers.

Dr. Hirsbrunner told investigators he believed the training he received allowed him to perform those services and that he would now arrange for a medical doctor to serve as the medspa’s medical director.

Impact on patients and staff

The suspension order bars Dr. Hirsbrunner from providing any dental care that requires a Colorado dental license and prohibits him from employing or receiving income from other licensed dental professionals. While the suspension remains in effect, the White Diamond Dental office in Monument is closed to patients, and appointments have been postponed. The adjacent medspa is also not treating patients.

Dr. Hirsbrunner said his staff remain employed but are not providing dental services while the practice works to correct the identified deficiencies. He expressed a commitment to bring the office into compliance and to submit the required information to the board in hopes of reinstating his license.

Board’s rationale and next steps

The Colorado Dental Board emphasized that its decisive action was taken to safeguard the community’s health. The board’s order notes that Dr. Hirsbrunner repeatedly characterized some findings as documentation problems, but the board’s investigation concluded that the deficiencies were substantive, including the lack of required spore testing and the use of non‑sterile gloves during surgery.

Dr. Hirsbrunner has indicated that he has purchased sterile gloves and antimicrobial hand soap since the inspection and that the office is undergoing employee training to address the board’s concerns. The board will continue disciplinary proceedings to determine whether further action, including possible revocation of the license, is warranted.

What this means for local residents

Monument and the surrounding El Paso County community can take reassurance that the state’s regulatory agencies are actively enforcing infection‑control standards and ensuring that health‑care providers operate within the bounds of their licensure. Patients seeking dental care are encouraged to verify that their providers are in good standing with the Colorado Dental Board.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.