Health officials allege Spokane dentist on drugs while operating on patient

A Spokane dentist’s license has been suspended after he was allegedly discovered to be under the influence of an anesthetic while operating on a patient.

Ryan Allen’s license and anesthesia permit were suspended following a meeting Friday over an incident that occurred Aug. 6 at Restor, an Auburn dental clinic, Department of Health spokeswoman Julie Graham said.

According to the statement of charges against Allen, he left the operating room several times while a patient was under anesthesia. Clinic staff discovered him in the bathroom in a “dazed state” after he allegedly self-administered propofol, a drug used to calm patients before general anesthesia is given.

The clinic did not return a call seeking comment.

During the meeting, Allen allegedly admitted to using propofol and said he had provided anesthesia treatment while under the influence of propofol before. He also admitted to operating after using meperidine, a narcotic better known by the brand name Demerol.

Attempts to reach Allen on Tuesday were unsuccessful.

Allen was one of two dentists who purchased Sleep Dentistry of Spokane in 2011, according to the practice’s website. Staff at the clinic referred questions to the clinic’s attorney, Scott Smith, who said Allen was fired immediately after the clinic learned of the Auburn incident.

Smith said the clinic was not aware Allen was working in Auburn.

“He must have been moonlighting,” Smith said.

Allen has 20 days to respond to the charges and request a hearing. His license will remain suspended until the charges are resolved.

This story has been updated to correct Scott Smith’s name.