Petitioner: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, BOARD OF DENISTRY
Respondent: STEPHEN BELCHER, D.D.S.
Judges: MARY CLARK
Agency: Department of Health
Locations: Naples, Florida
Filed: Nov. 14, 2000
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Friday, December 15, 2000.
Latest Update: Nov. 19, 2024
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SegonNT oF HEALTH Ee
HEARINGS
PETITIONER, CO-4WTIAL
v. CASE NUMBER: 98-19816
STEPHEN BELCHER, DDS,
RESPONDENT.
/
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
COMES NOW, the Petitioner, Department of Health, hereinafter referred to as "Petitioner,"
and files this Administrative Complaint before the Board of Dentistry against Stephen Belcher,
DDS, hereinafter referred to as "Respondent," and alleges:
1. Petitioner is the state agency charged with regulating the practice of dentistry
pursuant to Section 20.43, Florida Statutes; Chapter 455, Florida Statutes; and
Chapter 466, Florida Statutes.
2. Pursuant to the authority of Section 20.43 (3)(g), Florida Statutes, the Petitioner has
contracted with the Agency for Health Care Administration, hereinafter referred to
as the "Agency," to provide consumer complaint, investigative, and prosecutorial
services required by the Division of Medical Quality Assurance, councils or board,
as appropriate, including the issuance of emergency orders of suspension or
restriction.
Page 1 of 3
10.
11.
Respondent is, and has been at all times material hereto, a licensed dentist in the
State of Florida, having been issued license number DN 0010708. Respondent’s
last known address is 8951 Bonita Beach Road, #110, Bonita Springs, FL 33923-
4202.
Professional Dental Associates, Inc., hereinafter referred to as "PDA" is a Delaware
corporate entity, not composes Gian
PDA FLA, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of PDA, is a Delaware corpoate entity,
not composed of dentists.
On or about April 30, 1998, Respondent signed an Asset Purchase Agreement with
PDA and PDA FLA, Inc.
The Asset Purchase Agreement, paragraphs 1.3, 7.1(c), and 8.13 provided for the
transfer of Respondent’s employees to the control of PDA and PDA FLA, Inc.
On or about April 30, 1998, Respondent signed a Management Services Agreement
with PDA FLA, Inc. .
The Management Services Agreement, paragraph 2.4, provides for the transfer of
Respondent’s employees to the control of PDA FLA, Inc,, including “dental
hygienists, dental assistants and any other dental staff members."
This transfer of control over Respondent's employees to PDA and PDA FLA, Inc.
allowed PDA and PDA FLA, Inc. to influence or otherwise interfere with the
‘exercise of Respondent's independent professional judgment.
Based on the foregoing, the Respondent’s license to practice dentistry in the State
of Florida is subject to discipline pursuant to Section466.0285(2)(d), Florida
Statutes, for being guilty of entering into a relationship with an entity that is not a
Page 2 of 3
professional corporation or limited liability company composed of dentists, in
- which such entity exercised control over decisions relating to office personnel.
| WHEREFORE, Petitioner respectfully requests the Board of Dentistry enter an order
imposing one or more of the following penalties: revocation or suspension of the Respondent’s
license, restriction of the Respondent’s practice, imposition of an administrative fine and costs,
issuance of a reprimand, placement of the Respondent on probation, and/or any other relief that the
Board deems appropriate.
SIGNED this Aves o Debier_. 2000.
Robert G. Brooks, M.D.
Secretary, Department of Health
Nancy M. Snurkowski
Chief Attomey
Agency for Health Care Administration
COUNSEL FOR AGENCY
John L. Chaves D
Senior Attomey F | LE
Agency for Health Care Administration
Practitioner Regulation OEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
PO Box 14229, mail stop 39
Tallahassee, FL 32317-4229 2
DATEL_\O A Zoe
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PCP:
DATE: Seg! CS LOE
Page 3 of 3
Docket for Case No: 00-004671PL
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Dec. 15, 2000 |
Order Closing File issued. CASE CLOSED.
|
Dec. 13, 2000 |
Joint Motion for Abatement or Dismissal (filed via facsimile).
|
Nov. 30, 2000 |
Interrogatories filed. |
Nov. 30, 2000 |
Respondent`s Notice of Serving First Set of Interrogatories upon Petitioner, Department of Health filed. |
Nov. 29, 2000 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions issued.
|
Nov. 29, 2000 |
Notice of Hearing issued (hearing set for January 30, 2001; 9:00 a.m.; Naples, FL).
|
Nov. 27, 2000 |
Order issued. (consolidated cases are: 00-004670PL, 00-004671PL, 00-004672PL, 00-004673PL, 00-004674PL)
|
Nov. 22, 2000 |
Joint Response to Initial Order (filed via facsimile).
|
Nov. 14, 2000 |
Initial Order issued. |
Nov. 14, 2000 |
Notice of Appearance and Request for Hearing (filed by S. Ellsworth).
|
Nov. 14, 2000 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
|
Nov. 14, 2000 |
Agency referral filed.
|