Petitioner: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, BOARD OF DENTISTRY
Respondent: STEVEN M. LONDON, D.D.S.
Judges: F. SCOTT BOYD
Agency: Department of Health
Locations: Boca Raton, Florida
Filed: Aug. 18, 2016
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Thursday, November 10, 2016.
Latest Update: Nov. 20, 2024
STATE OF FLORIDA
BOARD OF DENTISTRY
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH,
PETITIONER,
ve CASENO: 2013-12411
STEVEN M. LONDON, 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 Respondent, Steven M. London, 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 13379.
3, Respondent’s address of record is 9101 Lakeridge Boulevard,
Boca Raton, Florida 33496.
4. On or about June 6, 2012, Patient I.K. presented to
Respondent's practice for a consultation for Invisalign® brand orthodontic
devices (Invisalign).
5. The Invisalign method of orthodontic treatment involves a
series of incremental aligners to effect tooth movement.
6. The minimum standard of performance in diagnosis and
treatment in the practice of dentistry requires a dentist to provide an
adequate diagnosis of a patient's orthodontic condition before prescribing
orthodontic devices.
7. The minimum standard of performance in diagnosis and
treatment in the practice of dentistry requires a dentist to evaluate a
patient's periodontal health or refer for the patient for such evaluation
before commencing orthodontic treatment.
8. The minimum standard of performance in diagnosis and
treatment in the practice of dentistry requires a dentist to evaluate a
patient's periodontal health prior to commencing orthodontic treatment as
active periodontal disease will impact the effectiveness of the treatment
and may also be exacerbated by the placement of orthodontic devices.
9. The minimum standard of performance in diagnosis and
treatment in the practice of dentistry requires a dentist to develop a
treatment plan sufficient to address the patient’s orthodontic needs.
10. On or about June 6, 2012, Respondent noted in the clinical
record that he took photographs, impressions, and a bite registration for
Patient I.K. for the purpose of making a record for Invisalign treatment.
Patient IK. was pregnant at the time, so Respondent reportedly did not
take any radiographs on this date.
11. Respondent did not provide any diagnosis of Patient Ks
orthodontic condition.
12. Patient I.K. had a recent history of periodontal disease.
13. Respondent did not provide any evaluation of Patient LKJs
periodontal health or provide a referral for such evaluation. |
14. Respondent failed to provide a proposed treatment plan to
Patient LK.
15. Cases are transmitted to Invisalign technicians through a
software program known as “ClinCheck.” The dentist fills out the “Invisalign
Prescription Form” and uploads any photographs and/or radiographs.
Impressions are sent to Invisalign to be digitized. Invisalign technicians
create a computerized “ClinCheck model” based on the dentist’s initial
prescription, supporting photographs and/or radiographs, and the
impressions. The dentist then reviews the model and makes any necessary
adjustments or modifications.
16. On or about June 6, 2012, Respondent transmitted the
photographs and impressions he took of Patient I.K. to Invisalign.
17. Respondent did not provide any instruction in the “Invisalign
Prescription Form” specific to Patient I.K.’s orthodontic condition.
18. The Invisalign technician(s) developed the case and sent it
back to Respondent for his review.
19. The proposed Invisalign treatment involved the use of eight (8)
aligners, with the last four to be “passive” (non-tooth moving) in nature.
20. Each aligner was to be worn approximately two weeks.
21. Respondent did not make any adjustments to the case modeled
by the Invisalign technician(s).
22. Patient I.K. had a significant occlusal (bite) issue.
23. The case modeled by Invisalign and accepted without
modification from Respondent provided only four aligners to effect “active”
orthodontic treatment, before Patient I.K. was to switch to the remaining
four “passive” aligners.
24. The case modeled by [Invisalign without any input or
modifications from Respondent was insufficient to address Patient I.K.'s
orthodontic condition.
25, The Invisalign treatment package Patient LK. paid for did not
involve future refinements to the treatment. Therefore, once Respondent
“closed” the case and proceeded to order retainers, Patient I.K. would not
receive any additional aligners to address her orthodontic condition.
26. On or about July 9, 2012, Respondent placed attachment(s) on
Patient I.K.’s teeth per the Invisalign treatment plan. Respondent inserted
Invisalign trays numbering one (1) through four (4) and provided Patient
1.K. with instructions.
27. Onor about September 5, 2012, Respondent inserted Invisalign
trays numbering five (5) through eight (8) (the “passive” aligners) and
provided Patient I.K. with instructions.
28. On or about November 1, 2012, Respondent noted in the
clinical record that the Invisalign treatment was completed and he ordered
’Vivera Retainers.”
29. Vivera® brand retainers are fabricated by Invisalign and are
designed to keep the teeth in position following orthodontic treatment.
30. The minimum standard of performance in diagnosis and
treatment in the practice of dentistry requires a dentist to take a panoramic
radiograph following orthodontic treatment.
31. The panoramic radiograph enables the dentist to evaluate the
health of the dental structures, particularly the roots of teeth, following
orthodontic treatment, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment
and/or need for additional treatment.
32. Respondent failed to take any post-treatment radiographs.
33. On or about November 20, 2012, Respondent inserted the
retainers and removed the attachments from the aligners. According to the
clinical record for this date, Respondent performed “[e]sthetic recontouring
[sic] lower incisors and cuspids to level them as well as gain more
occlusion on post teeth.”
34. The minimum standard of performance in diagnosis and
treatment in the practice of dentistry requires a dentist to develop a
continuing treatment plan if the dentist determines that a course of
treatment has not been effective in addressing a patient's dental condition.
35. Respondent failed to recognize that Patient I.K’s orthodontic
condition had not been addressed by the Invisalign treatment.
36. The re-contouring of Patient I.K.’s lower incisors and cuspids
performed by Respondent was insufficient to treat Patient I.K’s occlusal
issues that remained following the Invisalign treatment.
37, The retainers Respondent provided were identical to the last
series of four (4) aligners Patient I.K. received on or about September 5,
2012.
38. As such, the retainers Respondent provided only served to hold
Patient I.K.’s teeth in a non-adjusted position.
39. Respondent failed to provide an adequate continuing treatment
plan to effectively address Patient I.K.’s orthodontic condition.
40. Section 466.028(1)(x), Florida Statutes (2012), states that
“fbJeing 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[,]” shall constitute grounds
for disciplinary action by the Board of Dentistry.
41. Respondent violated Section 466.028(1)(x), Florida Statutes, in
one or more of the following ways:
A. By failing to provide an adequate diagnosis of Patient I.K.’s
orthodontic condition prior to prescribing orthodontic
devices;
B. By failing to evaluate Patient I.K.’s periodontal health or refer
her for such evaluation before commencing orthodontic
treatment;
C. By failing to provide a proposed treatment plan to Patient
LK.;
D. By failing to provide sufficient treatment for Patient I.K.’s
orthodontic condition;
E. By failing to take a post-treatment radiograph; and/or
F, By failing to provide a continuing treatment plan to address
Patient I.K.’s remaining orthodontic condition.
WHEREFORE, Petitioner respectfully requests that the Board of
Dentistry enter an order imposing one or more of the following penalties:
restriction of practice, imposition of an administrative fine, issuance of a
reprimand, placement of Respondent on probation, corrective action,
refund of fees billed or collected, remedial education and/or any other retief
that the Board deems appropriate.
SIGNED this 4" day of Mat 2015.
John H. Armstrong, MD, FACS
Surgeon General & Secretary
Bacioed Py OV chord’ C
Bridget K. McDonnell
Assistant General Counsel
DOH Prosecution Services Unit
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C-65
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3265
Florida Bar #99874
TEL: 850.245.4444, FAX: 850.245.4681
Express Mail Address:
2585 Merchants Row, Suite 105
Email: Bridget.McDonnell@fihealth.gov
LED
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
DEPUTY CLERK
CLERK = Angel Sanders
DATE MAY_0 6 2015 _
PCP: May 1, 2015
PCP Members: C.M., T.M., R.P.
DOH v, Steven M, London, D.D.S., Case # 2013-12411
9
NOTICE OF RIGHTS
Respondent has the right to request a hearing to be
conducted in accordance with Section 120.569 and 120.57,
Florida Statutes, to be represented by counsel or other qualified
representative, to present evidence and argument, to call and
cross-examine witnesses and to have subpoena and subpoena
duces tecum issued on his or her behalf if a hearing is requested.
NOTICE REGARDING ASSESSMENT OF COSTS
Respondent is placed on notice that Petitioner has incurred
costs related to the investigation and prosecution of this matter.
Pursuant to Section 456.072(4), Florida Statutes, the Board shall
assess costs related to the investigation and prosecution of a
disciplinary matter, which may include attorney hours and costs,
on the Respondent in addition to any other discipline imposed.
DOH v. Steven M. London, D.D.S., Case # 2013-12411
10
Docket for Case No: 16-004688PL
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Nov. 10, 2016 |
Order Closing File and Relinquishing Jurisdiction. CASE CLOSED.
|
Nov. 09, 2016 |
Agreed Motion to Relinquish Jurisdiction With Leave to Reopen filed.
|
Nov. 03, 2016 |
Notice of Serving Responses to Respondent's Second Request to Produce filed.
|
Nov. 01, 2016 |
Respondent's Notice of Taking Deposition (of I.K.) filed.
|
Nov. 01, 2016 |
Respondent's Notice of Taking Deposition (of Dr Eckelson) filed.
|
Oct. 31, 2016 |
Petitioner's Notice of Taking Deposition Duces Tecum filed.
|
Oct. 31, 2016 |
Petitioner's Notice of Taking Deposition Duces Tecum filed.
|
Oct. 19, 2016 |
Order Denying Motion to Compel.
|
Oct. 18, 2016 |
CASE STATUS: Motion Hearing Held. |
Oct. 17, 2016 |
Petitioner's Response In Opposition to Respondent's Motion to Compel and/or Motion to Overule Objection and Respondent's Amended Notice to I.K. to Appear for Compulsory Dental Examination filed.
|
Oct. 14, 2016 |
Respondent's Notice of Taking Depositions (Records Custodian Mail in Records) filed.
|
Oct. 14, 2016 |
Respondent's Motion to Compel or Motion to Overrule Objection filed.
|
Oct. 12, 2016 |
Respondent's Amended Notice to L.K. to Appear for Dental Examination filed.
|
Oct. 11, 2016 |
Respondent's Notice of Providing Unverified Answers to Interrogatories filed.
|
Oct. 11, 2016 |
Petitioner's Response in Opposition to Respondent's Notice to I.K. to Appear for Compulsory Dental Examination filed.
|
Oct. 04, 2016 |
Respondent's Response to Petitioner's Request to Produce filed.
|
Oct. 04, 2016 |
Respondent's Second Request to Produce to Petitioner filed.
|
Oct. 04, 2016 |
Respondent's Notice to L.K., to Appear for Compulsory Dental Examination filed.
|
Sep. 30, 2016 |
Notice of Serving Responses to Respondent's First Request for Production of Documents and First Set of Interrogatories to Respondent filed.
|
Sep. 30, 2016 |
Respondent's Response to Petitioner's Request for Admissions filed.
|
Sep. 14, 2016 |
Order Granting Continuance and Re-scheduling Hearing (hearing set for November 29, 2016; 9:00 a.m.; Boca Raton, FL).
|
Sep. 13, 2016 |
Joint Motion to Reschedule Hearing filed.
|
Aug. 31, 2016 |
Respondent's Notice of Serving Request to Produce and Expert Interrogatories to Petitioner filed.
|
Aug. 31, 2016 |
Answer and Affirmative Defenses filed.
|
Aug. 31, 2016 |
Notice of Serving Petitioner's First Request for Production, First set of Interrogatories and First Request for Admissions to Respondent filed.
|
Aug. 25, 2016 |
Notice of Hearing (hearing set for October 14, 2016; 9:00 a.m.; Boca Raton, FL).
|
Aug. 25, 2016 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
|
Aug. 25, 2016 |
Joint Response to Initial Order filed.
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Aug. 22, 2016 |
Notice of Appearance (Bridget McDonnell) filed.
|
Aug. 19, 2016 |
Initial Order.
|
Aug. 18, 2016 |
Election of Rights filed.
|
Aug. 18, 2016 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
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Aug. 18, 2016 |
Agency referral filed.
|