Change of venue: Petition to revoke Joseph's dental license to be decided in Newton County

The Missouri Dental Board's petition asking for a preliminary and permanent injunction to prevent Dr. John Joseph from practicing dentistry, will not be heard in Jasper County Circuit Court.

According to a document filed today, the case has been transferred to Newton County Circuit Court.

The petition, originally filed April 23, cites Joseph's March 5 arrest for drug trafficking and unlawful use of a weapon.

The probable cause statement states a Joplin detective observed respondent participating in a "hand-to-hand" narcotic transaction in a parking lot near respondent's business location.

Respondent was detained at the scene after getting back in his truck and was searched.

The detective located a large package weighing 11 grams containing a substance believed to be fentanyl. A search of respondent's truck found another gram of fentanyl, multiple items of drug paraphernalia consistent with the ingestion of fentanyl and an H&K 9mm pistol later found to be reported as stolen from a residence in Joplin in 2016.

While under Miranda, Respondent stated that he provided $600 for the large package found in his jacket.

Charges filed against Joseph in Kansas involving the hit-and-run death of Gary LaTurner, 60, Galena, were also cited in the petition.

Also noted was an interview the board's Central Investigations Unit had with Joseph's assistant on March 7, 2024 in which she said she had not heard from Joseph.

"All the staff at the office informed CIU they were left in the dark and had no direction regarding patient care."

The petition asks the judge to "issue a judgment finding that Respondent's conduct presents a substantial probability of serious danger to the health, safety or welfare of any resident of this state or client or patient of the licensees.