In November, one week before Lee Culp, CDT, was to go to trial for malpractice, the case against him was dismissed. "It was like the weight of the world was off my shoulders and, after nearly two-and-a-half years, I knew I was going to be ok," says Culp, owner, Mosaic Studios, Sarasota, FL, and D4D Technologies' vice president of dental technologies.
About three years ago, Culp fabricated 10 crowns for a New Jersey dentist and his patient. When they asked for the crowns to be bigger, Culp worked with them until they were happy with the length of the restorations. One year later, he found out he was being sued for malpractice; the patient claimed to have suffered injuries to her mouth as a result of the work.
In a final motion to have the case dismissed, one of Culp's lawyers had the opportunity to speak directly to the judge who, after hearing the argument, agreed that since Culp had simply followed the dentist's Rx, he was not liable for any wrongdoing. The trial against the dentist involved in the case went ahead as planned, but Culp says he was not subpoenaed to testify.
Editor's Note: Culp wishes to thank everyone for their calls, e-mails and messages of support.
