Petitioner: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, BOARD OF DENTISTRY
Respondent: GRACE BAGINSKI, D.D.S.
Judges: LARRY J. SARTIN
Agency: Department of Health
Locations: West Palm Beach, Florida
Filed: Jan. 17, 2008
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Friday, February 8, 2008.
Latest Update: Nov. 12, 2024
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STATE OF FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH,
PETITIONER,
VS. CASE NUMBER; 2004-39622
GRACE BAGINSKI, D.D.S., ,
RESPONDENT.
/
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
COMES NOW, Petitioner, Department of Health, by and through
its undersigned counsel, and files this Administrative Complaint
before the Board of Dentistry against the Respondent, Grace
Baginski, D.D.S., and in support thereof alleges:
1. Petitioner is the state department charged with regulating
the practice of Dentistry pursuant to Section 20.43, Florida Statutes;
Chapter 456, Florida Statutes; and Chapter 466, Florida Statutes.
2. At all times material to this Complaint, Respondent was a
licensed dentist within the State of Florida, having been issued
license number DN 15365.
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3. Respondent’s address of record is 800 East Ocean
Boulevard, Ste. 1, Stuart, Florida 34994.
4, The Respondent provided dental care and treatment to
Patient O.M. from on or about October 12, 2004, through on or about
November 2, 2004. |
5. Patient O.M, initially presented to the Respondent on
October 12, 2004, complaining of ill-fitting dentures. The Respondent
failed to document performing an intra-oral exam, did not. document a
diagnosis of Patient O.M.’s occlusal scheme, gum ridge formation, or
any other diagnostic procedures including x-rays to determine the
condition of Patient O.M.’s mouth and gums. The Respondent's teeth
chart of Patient O.M. indicated he presented completely edentulous
(without teeth).
6. The Respondent’s treatment note for Patient O.M’s: initial
| visit on October 12, 2004, simply stated “splash imps classic”
indicating single impressions of Patient O.M.’s mouth were taken for
replacement of the full dentures. The Respondent did not note any
radiographic or other diagnostic findings to support’ a
2
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recommendation for Patient O.M. to undergo immediate replacement
of full upper and lower dentures,
7. The Respondent did not document that she explaimed the
procedure of fabricating dentures to Patient O.M. and whether any
relining would be needed shortly after placement of the dentures. The
Respondent failed to provide a comprehensive diagnosis of the 7
general condition of the teeth, gums and mouth of Patient O.M.
8. Patient O.M. also presented with a poor lower mandibular
ridge form, which was not recorded or mentioned anywhere in the
Respondent’s diagnostic or treatment notes or accounted for in the
treatment plan for denture replacements. There is no. documented
informed consent for the denture replacement treatment plan for
Patient O.M. in the treatment records maintained by the Respondent.
9. Patient O.M. returned to the Respondent's office on or
about October 18, 2004, for delivery and seating of the replacement
dentures. The Respondent's treatment note for that visit stated
simply “del.” indicating final delivery of the dentures, with no try-in or
occlusal matching prior to final delivery.
3 .
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10. On or about October 21, 2004, through October 28, 2004,
the Respondent proceeded with three separate post-denture insertion
adjustment appointments. Treatment notes for the ‘first two
adjustment appointments indicate simply “adj.” without any diagnostic.
statement of what was being adjusted and/or why. On October 28,
2004, there was a notation in the treatment record that a reline of the
lower denture was done at no charge. A denture reline is usually
performed to correct fit on worn dentures, but is generally not done
within two weeks of delivery of a new denture.
11. Patient O.M. continued to complain the new dentures fit
poorly and were causing sore spots on his gums. On or about
November 2, 2004, Patient O.M. returned to the Respondent's office’
complaining that the dentures did not fit properly, and he was
generally unhappy with the appearance and fit of both the dentures,
and demanding a refund. The Respondent paid Patient O.M. -half of
what he paid, and kept the dentures which have become unavailable
according to the Respondent. This complaint was filed in March of
2005.
4
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12. When Patient O.M. presented to the Respondent in
October of 2004 the Respondent apparently conducted a general
exam, but did not perform or document a comprehensive: exam
including the results of any x-rays or other diagnostic procedures to -
ald in diagnosis and treatment planning. The Respondent's initial visit
treatment notes indicate simply that single impressions of Patient
O.M.'s mouth were taken for replacement of the full dentures. -
i3. The prevailing standard. of dental care in providing
placement of dentures requires a dentist to perform. adequate
diagnosis to determine the necessity of denture replacement and: then
to discuss the optimal design and appearance of any proposed
dentures with the patient. A dentist should properly diagnose mouth,
gum ridge formation, occlusal scheme and/or bone conditions to
plan for optimal prosthetic fittings required for placement of a
denture which fits properly and securely. The patient should then be
provided with explanation of any alternate treatment plans and be
given the chance to provide informed consent for the treatment plan,
The dentist should then properly make, place, and fit a denture
accordingly,
5 .
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COUNT I-Recordkeeping
14. Petitioner realleges the allegations contained in
paragraphs one (1) through thirteen (13) as if fully incorporated
herein. bee
15. Section 466.028(1)(m), Florida Statutes (2004), as
implemented by Rule 64B85-17.002, Florida Administrative Code
(F.A.C.), states that failing to keep written dental records and medical
history records justifying the course of treatment of the patient
including, but not limited to, patient histories, examination results, test
results, and x-rays if taken, shall constitute grounds for disciplinary
action by the Board of Dentistry.
16. Respondent’s dental records for Patient O.M. failed to
justify the course of Patient O.M.’s treatment in that the Respondent
did not document diagnosis from x-rays prior to performing dental
treatment procedures oan the patient. The Respondent also failed to
record an overall comprehensive written diagnosis, treatment
prognosis, and failed to formulate a written treatment plan for Patient
O.M, The Respondent also had inadequate documentation of any
6
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individualized diagnosis of Patient O.M.’s gum ridge ‘formation or
occlusal scheme to aid in proper fitting of new dentures covering any
of the visits.
17. Based on the foregoing, the Respondent has violated
Section 466.028(1)(m), Florida Statutes (2004), by failing to keep
written dental and medical history records justifying the course of
treatment of the patient.
COUNT IIl—Standard of Care
18. The Petitioner re-alleges the allegations contained in
paragraphs one (1) through thirteen (13) as if fully. incorporated
herein.
19. Section 466.028(1)(x), Florida Statutes (2004), states that
being guilty of incompetence or negligence by failing to meet the
minimum standards of performance in diagnosis and treatment when
measured against generally prevailing peer performance, including,
‘but not limited to, the undertaking of diagnosis and treatment for
which the dentist Is not qualified by training or experience or being
guilty of dental malpractice, shall constitute grounds for disciplinary
action by the Board of Dentistry.
7
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20. The Respondent was negligent and failed to meet
minimum standards of dental performance in diagnosing and treating
Patient O.M. in one or more of the following ways:
a) By failing to document a comprehensive diagnosis with
interpretation of radiographs and a comprehensive
treatment plan to support replacement of upper and
lower dentures in Patient O.M.’s mouth;
b) By failing to properly diagnose, document and account
for the unique gum ridge formation and occlusal scheme
in planning for replacement of full dentures in Patient
O.M.'s mouth;
c) By failing to adequately document any clinical or
examination findings for Patient O.M.; thereby failing to
establish a basis supporting the treatments provided to
Patient O.M.;
4) By proposing and performing major denture
refabrication without presenting a comprehensive
treatment plan to Patient O.M. outlining all the proposed
therapy and explaining any possible options to include
benefits and risks for the patient’s acknowledgement
and informed consent;
e) By preparing and replacing dentures without adequate
molds or impressions being taken, with inadequate
preliminary try-ins, and which did not fit Patient: O.M.'s
mouth properly.
21. Based on the foregoing, the Respondent. has violated
section 466.028(1)(x), Florida Statutes (2004), by being guilty of
8
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incompetence or negligence by failing to meet the minimum standards
of performance in diagnosis and treatment when measured against
generally prevailing peer performance, including, but not limited to,
the undertaking of diagnosis and treatment for which the dentist is not
qualified by training or experience or being guilty of dental
malpractice.
WHEREFORE, the Petitioner respectfully requests that 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 practice, imposition of an administrative fine,
issuance of a reprimand, placement of the Respondent on probation,
corrective action, refund of fees billed or collected, remedial
education and/or any other relief that the Board deems appropriate.
. 9
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Docket for Case No: 08-000341PL
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Feb. 08, 2008 |
Order Closing File. CASE CLOSED.
|
Feb. 07, 2008 |
Motion to Relinquish Jurisdiction filed.
|
Feb. 04, 2008 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
|
Feb. 04, 2008 |
Notice of Hearing by Video Teleconference (hearing set for March 17 and 18, 2008; 9:30 a.m.; West Palm Beach and Tallahassee, FL).
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Jan. 31, 2008 |
Notice of Serving Respondent`s First Set of Interrogatories to Petitioner filed.
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Jan. 31, 2008 |
Notice of Service of Discovery filed.
|
Jan. 29, 2008 |
Respondent`s Unilateral Response to Intial Order filed.
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Jan. 25, 2008 |
Petitioner`s Unilateral Response to Initial Order filed.
|
Jan. 18, 2008 |
Initial Order.
|
Jan. 17, 2008 |
Notice of Appearance (filed by H. Mitchell).
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Jan. 17, 2008 |
Petition for Hearing Involving Disputed Issue of Material Fact filed.
|
Jan. 17, 2008 |
Notice of Appearance (filed by W. Foster).
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Jan. 17, 2008 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
|
Jan. 17, 2008 |
Agency referral filed.
|