N.J. Dentist Linked to 15-Case Bacterial Outbreak, State Officials Say

A New Jersey dentist has been linked to 15 cases of bacterial infections, causing an "outbreak" that included one death, according to state officials.

And John Vecchione is still allowed to practice.

The oral surgeon's practices have been linked to bacterial infections of the heart called "endocarditis" over the last two years, including one case that led to a death because of surgery complications, according to records obtained by Patch and filed by the N.J. State Board of Dentistry.

As a consequence, Vecchione, who operates in Mt. Olive and Parsippany, signed an agreement with the N.J. State Board of Dentistry to use "best practices in sanitation" after more than a dozen people had to get surgery because of the bacteria, according to state officials.

Read more: Patient Of N.J. Dentist Linked To Bacterial Outbreak: 'I Nearly Died In His Office'

The claims were outlined in a state consent order, as well as a report from the N.J. Department of Health, entitled, "Outbreak of Enterococcus faecalis endocarditis associated with an oral surgery practice." The report cites all 15 incidents involving patients whose ages ranged from 16 to 77.

The investigation began after Ryan Del Grosso of Jefferson was diagnosed with endocarditis about five weeks after having two wisdom teeth pulled, according to state officials.

Health investigators then identified three cases that followed surgery from the same practice and later discovered 15 patients had been infected — likely caused during the use of IVs to sedate patients before surgery, according to state officials.

Investigators also went to Vecchione's practices, finding several examples of non-sterile products, storage issues and poor hand hygiene, according to state officials.

One Hasbrouck Heights group of attorneys, the Lynch Law Firm, said they are pursuing a lawsuit against Vecchione on behalf of patients who suffered from an endocarditis infection after undergoing oral surgery.

"One person has died and 14 other patients of Dr. Vecchione’s have suffered from an endocarditis infection that have been associated with a variety of safety violations that occurred during their surgery," according to the law firm's website. "This type of infection can lead to life-threatening cardiovascular complications."

The law firm asked people who have suffered from an endocarditis infection, or cardiovascular issues after undergoing surgery with Vecchione, to consider filing a legal claim because they may be entitled to compensation.

Endocarditis is an infection of the heart’s inner lining or valves, and typically occurs when bacteria from other parts of the body, such as your mouth, spread through the blood stream and settle in the heart.

The one fatal case involved a person who died because of complications of the infection and resulting cardiac surgery. Eight cases reported a history of murmur; and three cases had conditions that might place them at increased risk for endocarditis, according to state officials.

Of those three cases, one was known to have aortic stenosis, one had a previously undiagnosed bicuspid aortic valve, and one had previously undiagnosed Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return (PAPVR).

"While these three cases had conditions that might place them at increased risk for endocarditis, none of the 15 cases had a high risk condition," according to state records.

A lawsuit filed by Lynch Law Firm on behalf of a 23-year-old patient claims that Vecchione's facility failed to:

• Keep equipment in working condition
• Properly use, sterilize and maintain dental equipment
• Establish proper protocols and procedures
• Adequately advise the patient of the risks of the surgery
• Take an adequate medical history for patients
• Correctly interpret medical tests and x-rays
• Diagnose the patient’s condition in a timely manner
• Properly treat the patient’s condition

Vecchione was described on the Meet the Doctor website as an oral surgeon who "provides a personal approach to his patients’ care combined with today’s most advanced techniques."

"Once you’re a patient, Dr. Vecchione is on call for you 24/7," the website says.

Vecchione practices oral and maxillofacial surgery with an expertise in dental implants, bone grafting, wisdom teeth extraction, facial trauma, cancer detection and reconstruction, TMJ surgery and facial rejuvenation. He is a graduate of New York University College of Dentistry, according to the site.

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