The state Dental Commission voted to go into executive session on Dec. 3, 2025, to consider disputed exhibits in the disciplinary petition against Kristen Helms (petition no. 2024-87). Chairman Peter Katz said the panel needed to review protected materials after the respondents counsel objected to the Department of Healths documentary evidence.

The move followed an extended exchange about 14 proposed panel exhibits and additional department exhibits. Paul Spinella, attorney for the respondent, argued the records offered by the department contain no evidence that "my client was under the influence of alcohol or drugs while practicing dentistry" on the dates alleged and characterized many records as immaterial and hearsay within hearsay.

Department attorney Linda Fazina told the panel the files include the departments investigation report and confidential "Haven" monitoring records, containing medical records, evaluations and laboratory reports such as urine drug-test results. She said the Haven referral triggered the departments involvement and that the documents are admissible in administrative proceedings under statutory and hearsay exceptions.

Alina Goldstein, Assistant Attorney General advising the panel, recommended admitting the departments proposed exhibits, citing Connecticut General Statutes section 4-1-178 (the Administrative Procedure Act) and advising the commission to overrule the respondents relevancy and hearsay objections.

Chairman Peter Katz moved the panel into executive session so counsel could discuss the substance of the confidential records and make a record of their contents outside the public portion of the hearing; Dr. Ross and the third panel member agreed, and the three members proceeded by unanimous consent. The clerk confirmed the stenographer will accompany the panel into executive session and instructed one panel member to log off and log back in to switch platforms before the closed portion.

The commission did not resolve admissibility in public session. The panel will consider the Department of Healths exhibits and the respondents objections in executive session, where protected health information may be discussed and a formal ruling on exhibits is expected to be recorded.