Dentist Agrees to Pay $150,000 in Penalties for Alleged Controlled Substances Violations

TULSA, Okla. – A 49-year-old Tulsa Dentist has agreed to a settlement following an investigation and allegations her practice violated the Controlled Substance Act.

Jennifer Burkitt DDS will pay $150,000 in penalties.

During an inspection of Burkitt’s dental practice, authorities discovered multiple violations that occurred Nov. 5, 2020, through June 9, 2022. Violations included failure to maintain effective controls against diversion of controlled substances, practicing dentistry in an unsafe or unsanitary manner, failing to maintain complete and accurate records of controlled substances, failing to retain proper forms and failure to maintain proper inventory.  The investigation also discovered gross negligence by administering unsafe doses of legend drug to children.

“The CSA was enacted to protect the health and safety of the public,” said United States Attorney Clinton Johnson. “Our office is committed to holding health care providers accountable when they violate the law and fail to uphold their duties as gatekeepers to controlled substances.”

The government’s pursuit of this matter illustrates its emphasis on combating the diversion of controlled substances. Record keeping and other regulations applicable to Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registrants, including dentists, are the tools by which the DEA deters drug diversion. 

The DEA conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marianne Hardcastle prosecuted the case.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability.