‘Trust Was Violated:' Dental Surgeon Shocked by Arrest of Assistant

Luis Ramos, 36, a dental assistant at a University Heights office is accused of sexually assaulting a teenage patient while she was sedated

A San Diego dental surgeon who employed an assistant accused of sexually assaulting a teenage patient says he’s baffled that something like this allegedly happened at his practice.

“It shocks me,” Dr. Steven Podstreleny told NBC 7 on Thursday, referring to the case against dental assistant Luis Ramos, 36. “The disappointing thing for me is that trust was violated, not only with the patient of course, but with me, with the other employees.”

Ramos, a resident of El Cajon who worked at Podstreleny’s Park Boulevard Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Office in University Heights, faces charges of sexual battery on an unconscious person and oral copulation by anesthetic.

Ramos was arrested on Feb. 3, two weeks after a 17-year-old girl told police she was inappropriately touched by the dental assistant during a procedure at the practice, while she was sedated.

Podstreleny said the accusations and arrest of Ramos came “out of the blue.” In the three years that Ramos has worked at the practice, Podstreleny said he has never heard any patient complaints like this against the dental assistant or any inclination of wrongdoing at the practice.

“He was just a stellar employee,” he explained. “It’s baffling. This is a person I looked at as a work brother.”

“[He] was someone that, honestly, I looked forward to working with,” Podstreleny added. “He was one of the best assistants I’ve ever worked with; 17 years in the business and I’ve probably had the pleasure of working with 150 maybe up to 200 assistants, and I’d rank him among the top five.”

Since Ramos’ arrest, San Diego Police Department (SDPD) investigators have been combing through more than 500 hours of surveillance video recorded inside the recovery room at the dental office where the alleged sexual assault took place.

This includes a seven-minute clip that captured the alleged Jan. 21 assault of the teenage patient.

Podstreleny said he’s had cameras installed throughout his dental office since he opened in 2009 to provide an “extra layer of protection” for patients and staffers and as “an effort at transparency.”

“It’s my duty to make patients feel comfortable and feel dignified,” said Postreleny of the cameras.

He said Ramos was fully aware he was being videotaped while working, which made the accusations even more surprising.

“I fully expected that this would be a misunderstanding. After looking at the tape though, we decided it was best to turn over this information to the authorities,” said Podstreleny.

According to the teenager, as her anesthesia wore off and she awaked from the procedure, she realized Ramos was touching her inappropriately.

Ramos appeared in court on Feb. 9 for a bail review hearing after being held on $2 million bail. His defense attorney argued against an increase in bail, saying Ramos has no criminal record and served in the U.S. military. His bail was reduced to $100,000.

According to prosecutor Deputy District Attorney Martin Doyle, police have received 15 calls from women concerned by Ramos’ case. Investigators have identified at least one of those women as a possible additional victim.

Ramos is no longer employed at the Park Boulevard Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Office.

He’s currently being held on nine counts at the George Bailey Detention Facility and is scheduled to appear in court on March 1.
 

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