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Virginia Board of Dentistry indefinitely suspends Dr. Patricia Hargrove’s license for at least one year
Summary
After a formal hearing in Henrico on March 6, 2026, the Virginia Board of Dentistry admitted Commonwealth exhibits, heard testimony for both sides and voted to indefinitely suspend Dr. Patricia Hargrove’s license for a period of not less than one year from the date of entry of the Order.
The Virginia Board of Dentistry on March 6, 2026, in Henrico voted to indefinitely suspend Dr. Patricia Hargrove’s license to practice dentistry in the Commonwealth for a period of not less than one year from the date the Board’s order is entered.
A panel convened for a formal hearing that began at 1:00 p.m. in Board Room 2 at the Perimeter Center. President Sultan E. Chaudhry presided; board staff and counsel listed in the record included Executive Director Jamie C. Sacksteder, Discipline Case Manager Donna Lee and Senior Assistant Attorney General James E. Rutkowski.
The record shows Dr. Hargrove was present without legal counsel in accordance with the Board’s October 21, 2025 notice. The Board admitted Commonwealth’s Exhibits 1–6 into evidence after an opening statement for the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth presented Deputy Steven Barton of the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office as a witness; Dr. William J. Hefele and Pam Hefele testified on behalf of the respondent. Dr. Hargrove testified on her own behalf.
Following testimony and closing statements by Board staff and counsel, the Board convened a closed meeting for deliberation pursuant to § 2.2-3711(A)(27) and § 2.2-3712(F) of the Code of Virginia. Senior Assistant Attorney General James E. Rutkowski reported the Board’s decision as an indefinite suspension for a period of not less than one year from the date of entry of the Order. Board member Margaret F. Lemaster moved to accept the Board’s decision as read by Mr. Rutkowski; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
The Board adjourned at 3:50 p.m. The order’s effective date is recorded as “from the date of entry of the Order” in the hearing minutes; the minutes do not specify the calendar date on which the order is to be entered.
