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WilliamS. Nail Executive Director

John D. Wilbanks, D.D.S. President 1501 Arizona, Bldg. l1-C EI Paso, Texas 79902

iRene E. Holt, D.D.S. President-Elect P.O. Box 1761 Kilgore, Texas 75662

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Jack T. Clark, D.D.S. First Vice-President 3600 Hulen, No. B-4 Fort Worth, Texas 76107 Will F. Graham, D.~.S. Second Vice-President 100 N. McGee, #50 Borger, Texas 79007 Neil A. Morgan, D.D.S. Secretary-Treasurer 901 N.E. Loop 410, No. 426 San Antonio, Texas 78209 Brian Babin, D.D.S. 1002 W. Bluff Woodville, Texas 75979 Donald L. Brunson, D.D.S. 1105 East James Street Baytown, Texas 77520 Joseph E. Gardner, Jr. P.O. Box 6217 . Corpus Christi, Texas 78411 Mary Ellen Jericho 3805 Potomac Dallas, Texas 75205 WilliamJ. Kemp, D.D.sf Rt. 1, Box 655 Haskell, Texas 79521 James S. Rogers, D.D.S. 2909 Georgia Street Amarillo, Texas 79109 Geraldine Tucker P.O. Box 15491 Austin. Texas 78761

TEXAS STATE BOARD OF DENTAL EXAMINERS

January 13, 1983

Ronald T. Williamson, D.D.S. fl8 Encina Plaza Rockport,Texas 78382

RE: COMPLAINT AND DOCKETED COMPLAINT NO. 1982-30

Dear Doctor Williamson:

Enclosed is copy of a Complaint concerning you which has. been re.ceived by me as Secretary-Treasurer of the Texa~ State Board of Dental Examiners. I have caused this Complaint to be Docketed in the name of the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners vs. yourself and have caused copies to be made and mailed to you by Registered Mail and to the members of the Board.

The Board will meet in Houston, Texas on February 24, 25 and 26, 1983 when all complaints to be heard and considered by the Board will be called and heard. This case has been scheduled for Thursday, February 24, 1983 at 9:00 a.m. in the Board Hearing Room at the Shamrock Hilton Hotel, Houston, Texas and could possibly be heard on Friday and Saturday, February 25 and 26, 1983 if all cases are not finished on Thursday, February.24th.

This is to further advise you that you may appear and offer such evidence as is pertinent to your defense to said Complaint. You may be represented by counsel if you so desire.

You are further advised that the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners is given jurisdiction and authority to hear and determine said matters by the second portion of Article 4549, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes, as amended, and by R~les of Procedure

411 West13th-Street'T Suite 503 • Austirr, Texas 78701 • (512) 475-2443 -

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January'~, 1983 Dr. Ronald T. Williamson

Governing Grievances, Hearings and Appeals duly adopted by said Board, said Laws and Rules are enclosed herewith. Rules 382.13.02.008 (b) and .020 (a) also provide that the Board may revoke, cancel, or suspend said Doctor's dental license to practice dentistry in Texas, or it may find said licensee not guilty as charged on any or all of said allegations or counts. Any final decision or order will be by majority of said Board (Rule 382.13.02.043 and .044). Your attention is also called to Rule 382.13.02.026 (a) which specifically delegates the authority to

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the "Board" to conduct hearings and to Rule 382.13.008 (a), (b), etc.

Copies of the Complaint, the Rules and Regulations, the Dental Laws, and the Rules of Procedure are enclosed for your reference.

Yours truly,

NAM:krm REGISTERED MAIL-RRR Copies to: TSBDE Board Members

The Hon. Steve Martin, Assistant Attorney General

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COMPLAINT AND DOCKETED COMPLAINT NUMBER 1982-30


V.

RONALD T. WILLIAMSON, D.D.S. tl8 ENCINA PLAZA ROCKPORT, ARANSAS COUNTY, TEXAS 78382 apd P.O. BOX 1426 FULTON, ARANSAS COUNTY, TEXAS 7-8358 HOLDER OF TEXAS DENTAL LICENSE NUMBER 7994

COM P L A I N T

BEFORE ME, the undersigned authority, on this day personally appeared Edgar F. Blood, hereinafter called Affiant, who, after having been duly sworn by me on his Oath, did depose and say:

I, Edgar F. Blood, of Houston, Harris County, Texas, an employee of the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners, did in the course of such employment, make certain investigations into the professional conduct and acts of one Doctor Ronald T. Williamson of Rockport and Fulton, Aransas County, Texas, a practicing dentist in the State of Texas and the holder of Texas Dental License Number 7994, previously issued by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners, duly authorized to grant such license. Dr. Williamson previously had dental offices at 4100 S.W. Freeway, Suite 306, Houston, Harris County, Texas.

As an employee of the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners, I, Edgar F. Blood, do hereby present to the said Secretary-Treasurer of the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners, the following Complaint against the said Ronald T. Williamson, D.D.S., hereinafter referred to as RESPONDENT.

1.

On or about October 1, 1982, Mrs. M mother of M hereinafter called PATIENT, a patient under treatment by RESPONDENT in his Rockport, Texas office for her orthodontic needs, was advised in a letter from RESPONDENT that he would no longer be able to treat PATIENT since he had Hodgkins Disease and that PATIENT'S records were being transferred to another. orthodontist. As of the date of the letter, PATIENT had been in appliances for approximately 18 months and paid $1,600 which was to be ~ull payment-for treatment by RESPONDENT. RESPONDENT serit PATIENT'S records to Dr. O.B.Vaughn of Corpus Christi, Texas:, but Dr. Vaughn had no knowledge of the patient transfer. PATIENT subsequently sought other orthodontic treatment, but had to begin making additional payments. All efforts by PATIENT and Affiant to locate RESPONDENT were unsuccessful.

DOCKETED COMPLAINT NUMBER 1982-30 PAGE 2

II.

On or about April 23, 1981 and thereafter, RESPONDENT had as his dental patient in his office in Houston, Texas, K W hereinafter called PATIENT. RESPONDENT undertook to treat PATIENT'S orthodontic needs and PATIENT paid RESPONDENT $3,000 as fuLl pre-payment for work to be done by RESPONDENT. RESPONDENT treated PATIENT until approximately April, 1982, at whtch time she received a letter from RESPONDENT advising her that he had Hodgkins Disease, would no longer be able to practice, and was transferring her records to Dr. Jack Zimmerman. Dr. Zimmerman advised PATIENT that he had made no arrangements with RESPONDENT to have RESPONDENT"S practice turned over to him. At the time of RESPONDENT'S departure, PATIENT was in full appliances and had to begin treatment with another orthodontist. Attempts by Affiant and PATIENT to locate RESPONDENT were unsuccessful.

III.

On or about November 4, 1981, at his Rockport, Texas office, RESPONDENT had as his PATIENT R M age 12, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J F.

RESPONDENT undertook to treat PATIENT'S orthodontic needs and did so until September 22, 1982. PATIENT'S father paid RESPONDENT $1,476 on 8/4/82 with the understanding that it was full payment for upper and lower braces and the treatment would continue until age 15. On or about October, 1982, PATIENT received the following letter from RESPONDENT:

"Dear Patient,

It is with deep regret that I must inform you, our patient and friend, that I will no longer be able to practice. I have been diagnosed as having Hodgkins disease, a form of leukemia. Dr. O. B. Vaughn of 4461 S. Staples, Corpus Christi, Texas, (telephone 992~8l61), a highly qualified orthodontist, has agreed to continue all patient treatment. All records will be forwarded.

My best wishes to all.

Sincerely,

/s/ Ron & Karen

Ron T. Williamson, D.D.S."

PATIENT was subsequently advised by Dr. Vaughn that the only arrangement he had with RESPONDENT was to treat RESPONDENT'S emergency patients for a short period of time. PATIENT was in braces at the time of RESPONDENT'S departure and was required to seek other dental care. All efforts by PATIENT and Affiant to locate RESPONDENT were unsuccessful.

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IV.

On or about March, 1980 and thereafter, at his Houston, Texas office, RESPONDENT had as his PATIENT ST J W age 15, the daughter of Mrs. A RESPONDENT undertook to treat PATIENT'S orthodontic needs and did so until September, 1982. PATIENT'S mother paid RESPONDENT $1245 with the understanding that this was full payment for the orthodontic tr~atment to be provided by RESPONDENT. On or about October, 1982, PATIENT r~ceived the following letter from RESPONDENT:

"Dear Patient,

It is with deep regret that I must inform you, our patient and friend, that I will no longer be able to practice. I have been diagnosed as having Hodgkins disease, a form of leuk~mia. Dr. Jack Zimmerman of 4606 San Jacinto, Houston, Texas, (telephone 529-5140), a highly qualified orthodondist, has agreed to continue all patient treatment.


PATIENT'S mother no formal arrangement him as a new patient. were unsuccessful and dental care.

Sincerely,

/s/ Ron & Karen

Ron T. Williamson, D.D.S.

contacted Dr. Zimmerman and was advised that he had with RESPONDENT, but that PATIENT could start with

All efforts by PATIENT and Affiant to locate RESPONDENT PATIENT, still being in appliances, had to seek other

V.

On or about January 16, 1981, at his Houston, Texas office, RESPONDENT had as his PATIENT A G hereinafater called PATIENT. RESPONDENT did undertake to provide orthodontic services to PATIENT to correct a Class 1 maloclusion. The fee was $1,259 which was paid in full by PATIENT. PATIENT last saw RESPONDENT on 9/24/82 with the next appointment scheduled for 10/21/82. Prior to the 10/21/82 appointment, PATIENT received the following letter from RESPONDENT:

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"Dear Patient,

It is with deep regret that I must inform you, our patient and friend, that I will no longer be able to practice. I have been diagnosed as having Hodgkins Disease, a form of leukemia. Dr. Jack Zimmerman of 4606 San Jacinto, Houston, Texas (telephone 529-5140), a highly qualified orthodontist, has agreed to continue all patient treatment.


Sincerely,

/s/ Ron & Karen

Ron T. Williamson, D.D.S.

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Treatment which was to be provided PATIENT by RESPONDENT was not complet'ed and all efforts by PATIENT and Affiant to locate RESPONDENT were unsuccessful.

VI.

On or about August 6, 1980, at his Houston office, RESPONDENT had as his PATIENT M C hereinafter called PATIENT. RESPONDENT undertook to treat PATIENT'S orthodontic needs and did so until July, 1982. PATIENT paid RESPONDENT $1,200 which was to be full payment for treatment to be provided. PATIENT was scheduled for an appointment in October, 1982, but learned RESPONDENT'S office phones had been disconnected and all efforts by PATIENT and Affiant to locate RESPONDENT were unsuccessful. PATIENT was still in appliances at this t.ime an.d it became necessary for her to seek further treatment from another dentist.

VII.

It is the opinion of this Affiant that RESPONDENT, RONALD T. WILLIAMSON, D.D.S., because of the ,acts and conduct stated above, is guilty of violating the following Texas Statutes and Board Rules relating to the practice of dentistry:

(1) Board Rule No. 382.19.13.001

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DOCKETED COMPLAINT NUMBER 1982-30 PAGE 5 '

.001. Abandonment of Patient Prohibited.

A dentist shall not abandon a dental patient he has undertaken to treat. He may discontinue treatment after reasonable notice has been given to the patient by the dentist of his intention to discontinue treatment and the patient has had a reasonable time to secure the services of another dentist or all dental services actually begun have been completed.

(2) Board Rule 382.19.15.004 (b)

.004. Records and Their Transfer:

Dental records are the sole property of the dentist who performs the dental service. A dentist who leaves a location, whether by retirement, sale, or otherwise, shall either take all said dental records with him or a written transfer to the suc-ceeding dentist shall be made and the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners' Central Office shall be notified within 15 days of any such event, giving full information concerning the dentists and location(s) involved. The above does not apply to a dental employee of another dentist where the dental records belong to the employing dentist.

(3) Board Rule 382.19.21.001 (5)

.001. Unprofessional, Dishonorable, and Immoral Conduct:

(5) practicing or attempting to practice dental fraud;

(4) V.A.T.S. Article 4548g. UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

(1) obtaining any fee by fraud or misrep-resentation;

(5) V.A.T.S. Article 4549, Section 2

(c) that the holder thereof has been or is guilty of dishonorable conduct, malpractice or gross incompetency in the practice of dentistry or dental hygiene.

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(6,) V .A. T. S. Article 4549, Section 2

(h) That the holder thereof has failed to use proper diligence in the conduct of his ' practice or to safeguard his patients against avoidable infections.

VIII.

Under authority of Article 4549, V.A.T.S., the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners and the District Courts of this State shall have concurrent jurisdiction and authority, after notice and hearing as hereinafter provided, to suspend or revoke a dental license or a dental hygienist license, to place on probation a person whose license or certificate is suspended, or to reprimand a licensee or certificate holder for anyone or more of the following causes:

(c) That the holder thereof has been or is guilty of dishonorable conduct, malpractice or gross incompetency in the practice of dentistry or dental hygiene.

(h) That the holder thereof has failed to use proper diligence in the conduct of his practice or to safeguard his patients against avoidable infections.

(i) That the holder thereof has failed or refused to comply with any State law relating to the regulation of dentists or dental hygienists.

(j) That the holder thereof has failed or refused to comply with the adopted and promulgated rules and regulations of the Board.

The foregoing Complaint is submitted to the Secretary-Treasurer of the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners this the rt<i.:r:.4-- day of December, 1982.

Further Affiant sayeth not.

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SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO BEFORE ME by the said Edgar F. Blood, this the ;;< £--IP day of December, 1982, to certify which witness my hand and seal

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~:bv)9.~~a - NOTARY PUBLIC IN AND FO~

STATE OF TEXAS

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My Commission Expires:

The 'foregoing Complaint is hereby filed and Docketed with the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners and styled Texas State Board of Dental Examiners vs. Ronald T. Williamson, D.D.S., under Docket Number 1982-30, this the 31st ~ December, 1982.

TEXAS

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VS.

FINDINGS AND ORDERS OF THE BOARD COMPLAINT AND DOCKETED COMPLAINT

NUMBER 1982-30

RONALD T. WILLIAMSON, D.D.S. HOLDER OF TEXAS DENTAL LICENSE NO. 7994

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On the 24th day of February, 1983, the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners met in the Board Hearing Room at the Shamrock-Hilton Hotel in Houston, Harris County, Texas, for the purpose of hearing and considerini' the instant Docketed Complaint No. 1982-30, as well as\for the transaction of other business. A quorum and a majority of the membership of the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners were present, to-wit:

Dr. John D. Wilbanks, President Dr. Rene E. Holt, President-Elect

Dr. Jack T. Clark, 1st Vice-President Dr~ Will F. Graham, 2nd Vice-President

Dr. Neil A. Morgan, Secretary-Treasurer (present, not voting) Dr. Brian Babin

Dr. Donald L. Brunson Mr. Joseph E. Gardner, Jr.

Mrs. Mary Ellen Jericho Dr. William J. Kemp Dr. James S. Rogers

Mrs. Geraldine Tucker

The President called said Docketed Complaint for hearing, the State announced ready, and the RESPONDENT, RONALD T. WILLIAMSON, D.D.S., not being present in person and not represented by counsel, a plea of NOT GUILTY was entered for the absent RESPONDENT. The Board proceeded to hear and receive evidence and testimony and after hearing and receiving all of same and after questioning the witnesses, the Board makes the following FINDINGS OF FACT and CONCLUSIONS OF LAW.

FINDINGS OF FACT

1. Dr. Ronald T. Williamson is the holder of Texas Dental License No. 7994 and was the holder of this license at all times material to Docketed Complaint No. 1982~30.

2. All statutory requirements for the jurisdiction of the Board have been met.

3. Counts V and VI should be omitted i~ their entirety •

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FINDINGS AND ORDERS, NUMBER 1982-30 Page 2

4. On or about October 1, 1982, Dr •. Williamson had as his dental patient Dr. Williamson undertook to treat the dental needs of however, Dr. Williamson advised said patient by letter that he had Hodgkins Disease and could no longer treat said patient, but that he was forwarding her records to another orthodontist. in Corpus Christi, Texas. The orthodontist in Corpus Christi, Texas had no knowledge of such patient or records transfer and no arrangement had been made for him to treat said patient. Ms. W had been in orthodontic appliances for approximately 18 months, had paid Dr. Williamson $1,600 for such orthodontic treatment, but had to begin making additional payments to another dentist for continued treatment since Dr. Williamson could not be located.

5. On or about April 23, 1981 and thereafter, Dr. W~lliamson had as his dental patient K W Dr. Williamson undertook to treat the dental needs of K however, Dr. Williamson advised said patient by letter that he had Hodgkins Disease and could no longer treat patient, but that he was forwarding her records to another orthodontist. The orthodontist had no knowledge of such transfer and no arrangements had been made with him to treat said patient. Ms. W had previously paid Dr. Williamson $3,000 as full pre-payment for such orthodontic treatment, but had to begin treatment with another orthodontist for continued treatment since Dr. Williamson could not be located.

6. On or about November 4, 1981, Dr. Williamson had as his dental patient R M age 12, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J F.

Dr. Williamson undertook to treat the dental needs of RM however, Dr. Williamson advised the parents of said patient by letter dated October 12, 1982 that he had Hodgkins Disease and could no longer treat patient, but that he was forwarding her records to another orthodontist in Corpus Christi, Texas. The orthodontist had no knowledge of such patient or records transfer and no arrangements had been made with him to treat said patient. The parents of said patient had paid Dr. Williamson $1,476 on August 4, 1982 with the understanding that such payment was full payment for upper and lower braces for their daughter

• and that such treatment would continue until their daughter, reached 15 years of age. The parents of said patient were forced to make other arrangements for dental tretment for their daughter since Dr. Williamson could not be located.

7. On or about March, 1980 and thereafter, Dr. Williamson had as his dental patient S J age 15, the daughter of Mrs. A

Dr. Williamsoqundertook to" treat the dental needs of SJ however, Dr. Williamson advised Mrs. by letter dated October, 1982, that he had Hodgkins Disease and could no longer treat patient, but 'that he was forwarding her records to another Orthodontist. The Orthodontist had no knowledge of such transfer and no arrangements had been made with him to treat said patient. Mrs. previously paid Dr. Williamson $1,245 with the understanding that such amount was

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full payment for the orthodontic treatment her daughter was to receive from Dr. Williamson. Mrs. Wright had to seek continued treatment with another dentist since Dr. Williamson could not be located.

CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

1. Dr. Ronald T. Williamson is guilty of abandoning his dental patients he had undertaken to treat, failing to secure the services of another dentist to complete their treatment, or by completing the treatment he had actually begun.

2. Dr. Ronald T. Williamson failed to transfer his patient records to another dentist for the continued treatment of said patients.

3. Dr. Ronald T. Williamson is guilty of practicing dental fraud.

4. Dr. Ronald T. Williamson is guilty of obtaining fees by fraud and misrepresentation.

5. Dr. Ronald T. Williamson is guilty of dishonorable conduct, malpractice or gross incompetency in the practice of dentistry.

6. Dr. Ronald T. Williamson has failed to use proper diligence in the conduct of his practice.

o R D E R

, BE IT KNOWN that on the 24th day of February, 1983, a quorum of the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners, who having heard the complaint against Dr. Ronald T. Williamson and considered evidence and testimony regarding said complaint and made Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, have voted by majority vote, to REVOKE License Number 7994, heretofore issued to Dr. Ronald T. Williamson.

It is FURTHER ORDERED that in the event of an appeal and the filing of a proper supersedeas bond which stays this Order pending trial on the merits, the stay will remain in full force and effect until this case is finally determined on its merits in the District Court, the Court of Appeals, or the Supreme Court. If t~e final judgment affirms this Order, this Order shall become effective ninety days after the judgment affirming this Order becomes final.

IT IS ACCORDINGLY ORDERED that License Number 7994, heretofore issued to Dr. Ronald T. Williamson is hereby REVOKED.

Executed this 18th day of APRIL , 1983. ---------------------

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~ z D • RENE E. HOLT PRESIDENT-ELECT


a ~ =>< c1!:-~~~. ,1J.)fl DR. WILL F. GRAHAM 2ND VICE-PRESIDENT

DR. DONALD L. BRUNSON

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FINDINGS AND ORDERS, NUMBER 1982-30 PAGE 5

~~-~ ~ YELLEN JERICP 4/11/83

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