Ohio attorney general’s office searches Howland dental office

Staff report

WARREN

Representatives from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office served a search warrant Thursday on the dental office of Dr. G. Thomas Noakes, 1121 Niles Cortland Road, Howland, as part of an investigation.

A spokesman from the attorney general’s office confirmed that the search warrant was served but said he could not comment further on the investigation or whether agents removed anything from the business.

Noakes has been a licensed dentist since 1995.

He signed a consent agreement with the Ohio State Dental Board in February 2008, agreeing to successfully complete 20 hours of education in dental ethics and provide documentation showing that all dental assistants under his employment are properly certified in dental radiography.

That action came after Dr. Noakes signed a consent agreement with the Ohio State Dental Board in which he admitted that between July 2003 and February 2007, he permitted three dental assistants to take X-rays when Dr. Noakes knew that the assistants did not possess a valid license to do so.

Dr. Noakes also admitted that between October 2004 and May 2006, he allowed a dental assistant to bond orthodontic brackets and cement orthodontic bands, something only dentists are authorized to do, the dental board said in a document.

Dr. Noakes also signed a consent agreement in 1997 with the dental board that put his dental license on probation for one year.

During that year, he was required to submit quarterly documentation indicating that heat sterilization equipment was being tested for proper function weekly. He also agreed to take eight hours of continuing education in infection control.

A call to Dr. Noakes’ office Thursday was not returned.