By C. Eugene Emery Jr.
CRANSTON -- The Rhode Island Department of Health ordered a Park Avenue dentist to shut down his office on March 22 after inspectors found several problems that posed a risk of infection for patients and workers.
Inspectors, for example, reported that debris was "found on multiple instruments in what was deemed by dentists to be 'sterile' packages in exam rooms."
The department allowed Dr. Paul J. Matrullo to reopen his office after two subsequent inspections found that the problems had been corrected.
He will now be subjected to random inspections.
His lawyer, Sara E. Sweeney, said Sunday that Matrullo "ended up going above and beyond what they asked him to do" to come into compliance.