Dentist suspended for refusing to treat lesbian patient

Boston Globe ^ | 07/18/03 | Associated Press

[bedolido]

FRANKLIN, N.H. (AP) The state has suspended the license of a New Hampshire dentist for refusing to treat a lesbian patient and for berating another patient.

The Board of Dental Examiners found that in March 1999, Joseph Roper Jr. refused to treat Tricia Thompson, a patient of his for almost three years, for a painful infected tooth after he found out that she considered herself married to a female partner.

[HELLRAISER II]

When I lived in Florida approximately 15 years ago I seem to remember a certain Dentist (forget his name) that was purposely giving his paitients HIV. This Dentist is/was simply trying to protect himself as well as his patients by not treating someone who is at a higher risk of AIDS. What the hell is wrong with that?

[Buffalo Bob]

The New Butt Order (NBO) marches on...

[JennysCool]

This guy?

[Support Free Republic]

A horse walks into a bar. The bartender comes up and says "Hey pal, what will it be?"

The horse orders a beer.

A few minutes later, John Kerry walks in and sits at the bar. The bartender walks up and says "Hey pal, cheer up. Why the long face?"

I'll stop if you guys will donate and get us over our fundraising goal

[chiefqc]

I wonder where her mouth have been?

[G.Mason]

"Doc" Holiday didn't care for dentistry either.

Perhaps he has another calling?

[HELLRAISER II]

Well it wasn't whistling Dixie, however it might have been tickling Dixie.

[bedolido]

When I lived in Florida approximately 15 years ago I seem to remember a certain Dentist (forget his name) that was purposely giving his paitients HIV.

I remember that. That was terrible. He needs a sign posted that says "We have the right to refuse service to anyone". Don't know if that's legal for dentists. But he should be able to protect himself.

[HELLRAISER II]

I seem to remember alot of the AIDS infected people as well as the Gay's taking up for that fruitcake, yet this guy doesn't have the right to protect himself and his patients. I guess it's alright to infect someone purposely but it's not alright to keep the infected patients out of his office. Can you say double standard?

[bedolido]

I wonder where her mouth have been?

I'm sure that's what the guys say when talking about asking Monica out.

[The Great RJ]

His mistake was to not treat her in an emergency and THEN send her packing. I know the licensing board will probably disagree with this position, but his practice is his business and he ought to be able to treat or not treat who he wants.

[FourPeas]

Ah and socialism marches on. Dentists have no right to refuse treatment. They can't practice unless a psychiatrist certifies them as sufficiently brainwashed into the religion of the PC god.

Sure the guy was rude. Were a dentist rude to me, I'd go somewhere else. What's so hard about that? If he's rude to enough people, he won't have a practice.

[laweeks]

I should think that she/he/it would just go get another dentist. If she/he/it doesn't care where her mouth goes, then maybe he cares where his hand goes. Why can't they leave their perversions at home?

[HELLRAISER II]

I agree.

[Technogeeb]

The State of New Hampshire also has the right to revoke his license

States don't have rights; they have powers.

[dead]

I don't think lesbians have a higher incidence of AIDS. In fact, I would imagine they have very low incidence.

That said, the dentist should be free to refuse to treat any patient. There's a dentist on every corner.

[tdadams]

I guess in a free country he's free to be a bellicose lout and send his practice down the toilet.

[bedolido]

The State of New Hampshire also has the right to revoke his license for businesses practices they find objectionable.

Yeah he doesn't sound like a "Dentist of the Year" candidate either. I actually hope they pull his license... but not for refusing service, for his other offenses.

[GreatOne]

Absolutely. I'd like to think that the primary reason he was suspended was because of the emergency situation. I'm an attorney, and there is no way on God's green earth I will ever knowingly represent a sodomite.

We need to quit labeling these people as "homosexuals", "lesbians", etc. Say what it truly is: people who engage in homosexual activity. I am not defined by who I have sex with, and neither should anyone else (even if perverted).

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Is it safe? Is it safe?

[dead]

Should a medical doctor be able to refuse service to patents that smoke of consume a poor diet?

For non-emergency treatment, sure.

I don’t know why one would, but he’s presumably a free citizen who can enter into business transactions with whomever he chooses.

Of course, that’s not how our nanny state sees it. We all work and live at their discretion.

[joesnuffy]

Should a medical doctor be able to refuse service to patents that smoke of consume a poor diet?

If they smoke the pole or their diet consists of carpet munchies....I'd say yep

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Wouldn't lesbians be among the LEAST likely group to contract AIDS?

[governsleastgovernsbest]

This dentist sounds like an insensitive clod, perhaps an outright jerk. But I don't understand why he shouldn't be entitled to treat or not treat whomever he wants.

[bedolido]

Should a medical doctor be able to refuse service to patents that smoke of consume a poor diet? For non-emergency treatment, sure. I don’t know why one would, but he’s presumably a free citizen who can enter into business transactions with whomever he chooses. Of course, that’s not how our nanny state sees it. We all work and live at their discretion.

I had a cardiologist that asked me three times to fire him. For some reason he couldn't or wouldn't tell me to find another doctor (strange how I seem to repell some people...hmmmmm)

[HELLRAISER II]

In all actuality you are both right, at least from what i've read I feel that your right. Not to be gross but when there are no body fluids secreted into the body cavity, the chances of contracting AIDS is minimal. But that doesn't mean he doesn't have the right to protect himself and his patients if he doesn't believe that to be true.

[bedolido]

Wouldn't lesbians be among the LEAST likely group to contract AIDS?

You would think so... but just the creepiness of their actions may be the issue (my apologies to any homosexual freepers).

[bedolido]

In all actuality you are both right, at least from what i've read I feel that your right. Not to be gross but when there are no body fluids secreted into the body cavity, the chances of contracting AIDS is minimal. But that doesn't mean he doesn't have the right to protect himself and his patients if he doesn't believe that to be true.

not to continue in your grossness... what about "ladies days" fluids accidentally being transfered during (aledged) lovemaking (again, my apologies to any homosexual freepers and the admin moderator)

[HELLRAISER II]

While it is possible to get the disease orally, I believe that the chances are just less. Not only that but i'm sure that during that time frame they probably abstain. I know that I do when the wife is going through that.

[pogo101]

What'd've been wrong with this woman just changing dentists and, if she wished to do so, also legally bad-mouthing the guy all over the community? The free market is a wonderful thing.

[bedolido]

While it is possible to get the disease orally, I believe that the chances are just less. Not only that but i'm sure that during that time frame they probably abstain. I know that I do when the wife is going through that.

well don't worry... the time will come when you won't have to do that anymore... been married 32 years and don't have to worry about that anymore.

One of the funniest Seinfelds was when Elaine's saxiphone playing boyfriend did that to her before his time on stage and couldn't play at all on stage afterwards... lol

[FourPeas]

Does this dentist have the right to refuse treatment to Blacks, Asians, Muslims or Jews or any other group he finds objectionable?

Apparently not. Should he? Sure. It's HIS business. If he wants to be stupid and alienate/discriminate/refuse treatment to a particular sector of potential patients, that should be his right being the owner of his business. The state's roll should be in technical competency, not decorum.

[Badray]

Bingo!

[angkor]

"You don't know what it's like! The discipline – the long hours – the lack of support – in a world that goes on ignoring dental hygiene!!"
Corbin Bernsen as "Dr. Feinstone"

[Dante3]

We had one dentist who turned out to be horrible. We just changed dentists. I certainly would not have trief to force him to treat us. I should have the freedom to choose my dentist and dentists should have freedom to choose their patients.

The type of patients I would avoid like the plague are those who file frivolous lawsuits against anyone.

[Acolyte]

>>This Dentist is/was simply trying to protect himself as well as his patients by not treating someone who is at a higher risk of AIDS. What the hell is wrong with that?<<

Are lesbians more or less likely than straight people to have HIV?

[annyokie]

That's not true. HIV/AIDS has four methods of transmission: semen, vaginal fluid, saliva and breast milk.

(Sorry to post this at lunchtime, All.)

[clamper1797]

Hey .... removing carpet fibers from between someones teeth is tough work .....

[Dimensio]

Since when were lesbians at a significantly higher risk for HIV/AIDS?

[cinFLA]

This dentist sounds like an insensitive clod, perhaps an outright jerk. But I don't understand why he shouldn't be entitled to treat or not treat whomever he wants.

Particularly when they seem to not want to pay him according to his published policy.

[Treebeard]

Maybe she just misunderstood the doc when he said "I'm going to drill you and fill you..."

[vetvetdoug]

Unless this was a life threatening emergency or unless he was the only dentist in a geographical area, this guy is getting the shaft from the licensing board. A dentist can pick and choose his clients just like a client can choose a dentist. There is no law against this dentist speaking his beliefs. The New Hampshire board is showing its leftest liberal leanings for suspending this license, we are in a freemarket economy (at least that is what people say)and if the public disagreed with his beliefs, then he will lose business accordingly. I doubt he would lose his business if he refused homosexuals but it is wrong for the state to suspend his license for doing so.

[jimt]

I guess in a free country he's free to be a bellicose lout and send his practice down the toilet.

Indeed he would - if it were a free country.

A key point in the article is that he's NOT free to choose his patients, and that a psychiatrist must certify him as appropriately celebrating lesbianism before he can practice again.

It's no longer a free country.

[Rider on the Rain]

I don't think lesbians have a higher incidence of AIDS. In fact, I would imagine they have very low incidence.

That said, the dentist should be free to refuse to treat any patient.

I think you're dead right in both statements.