Doctor-dentist newly investigated by state Commerce Department

The state has recently opened a new investigation of Dr. John D. Stover of Hilo, who is licensed as both a dentist and doctor and already has had five complaints lodged against him at the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs since 2010.

A source at the department said the new investigation involves the case of a woman who lapsed into a coma during dental treatment.

That case comes on top of five complaints filed against Stover since 2010 that are listed on the department’s website. Three involved his work as a doctor and two involved his work as a dentist.

One of the medical cases, filed in 2012, alleged that he failed to comply with licensing laws or rules and failed to comply with laws governing professional conduct. It was closed for insufficient evidence.

But Brent Suyama, communications officer for the department, confirmed Thursday that the case had been reopened.

The first dental case, filed in 2010, was also closed for insufficient evidence. Another dental investigation was opened this week in response to a complaint.

It is separate from the department’s investigation of the case of a comatose woman, which is not yet listed on the website. Two other medical complaints are still pending, one filed last year and one filed Jan. 14, the website shows.

The website includes no details of the cases, and Suyama said he could shed no more light on any of them.

"It is not unusual that when high-profile cases come forward into the public eye that people will come forward on other cases," Suyama said. "We encourage everyone who has some type of complaint against a licensee, whether it’s a dentist or an accountant or whatever, to contact our office, because the more information we have, the easier it is to build a case."

Stover and his lawyer could not be reached for comment late Thursday. According to his website, www.drjohnstover.com, he is board-certified in cosmetic surgery, oral surgery and dental anesthesiology.

Cosmetic Centers of Hawaii has offices in Hilo, Waimea and Kona.