Petitioner: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, BOARD OF DENTISTRY
Respondent: JULIO SUAREZ, D.H.
Judges: MARY LI CREASY
Agency: Department of Health
Locations: Tallahassee, Florida
Filed: Jun. 15, 2020
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Wednesday, August 12, 2020.
Latest Update: Mar. 12, 2025
STATE OF FLORIDA
BOA
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH,
Petitioner,
Vv.
_ JULIO SUAREZ, D.H.,
Respondent.
RD OF DENTISTRY
CASE NO.: 2016-17706
—__ ____/
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
Petitioner Department] of Health files this Administrative Complaint
before the Board of Dentistry against Respondent, Julio Suarez, D.H. In
support thereof, Petitioner alleges:
1.‘ Petitioner is the
practices of dental hygiene
state agency charged with regulating the
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 dental
hygienist within the State 1 Florida, having been issued license number
4
DH23144 on January 21, 20
3. | Respondent’s add
ress on record with the Department is 12406
SW 192 Terrance, Miami, Florida 33177.
Exhibit A
4. At all times material to this Complaint, Art Dental Services
(“ADS”) was a dental practice located at 11373 SW 211 Street, Miami, Florida
33189.
5. Section 466.018,
Florida Statutes, mandates that each patient in
Florida shall have a dentist of record who shall be identified in the patient's
records.
6. Section 466.024,
Florida Statutes, and Rule 64B5-16, Florida
Administrative Code, enumerates the tasks that are delegable to dental
hygienists.
7. At all times ma
terial to this Complaint, placing permanent
restorations, performing alveoplasty, and extracting teeth were not tasks
delegable to dental hygienists.
FACTS PERTAINING TO PATIENT H.A.
8. Patient H.A. first
9. ADS records for
received one or more fillings
for while a patient at ADS.
presented to ADS on or about March 1, 2016.
Patient H.A. show, in relevant part, that she
and that at least two extractions were planned
10. The records do not identify a dentist of record.
DOH v, Julio Suarez D.H.
DOH Case No. 2016-17706
11. Respondent placed at least one of Patient H.A's fillings and
extracted at least one of her |teeth while she was a patient at ADS.
FACTS PERTAINING TO PATIENT S.S.
12. Patient S.S. first presented to ADS on or about August 10, 2015.
13. ADS records for Patient S.S. show, in relevant part, that she had
at least one tooth extracted while a patient at ADS.
14. The records do not identify a dentist a of record.
15. Respondent extracted at least one of Patient S.S.’ teeth while she
was a patient at ADS.
FACTS PERTAINING TO PATIENT D.B.
16. Patient D.B. first presented to ADS on or about February 3, 2016.
17. ADS records for) Patient D.B. show, in relevant part, that he
received at least one filling while a patient at ADS.
18. The records do not identify a dentist a of record.
19. Respondent placed at least one of the fillings that Patient D.B.
received while a patient at ADS. .
FACTS PERTAINING TO PATIENT D.D.
20. Patient D.D. first] presented to ADS on or about September 15,
2015.
DOH v. Julio Suarez D.H. 3
DOH Case No. 2016-17706
21. ADS records for Patient D.D. show, in relevant part, that she had
at least one filling placed, at least one tooth extracted, and at least one
alveoplasty procedure while a patient at ADS.
22. The records do not identify a dentist of record.
23. A Patient Acknowledgment and Treatment Satisfaction form in
the records signed by Patient D.D. states that Patient D.D, was satisfied with
the treatment provided by “Doctor Julio Suarez” and “his staff”
24. Respondent placed at least one of the fillings that Patient D.D.
received, extracted at least lone of her teeth, and performed at least one
alveoplasty procedure on her while she was a patient at ADS.
COUNT I — PATIENT H.A.
25. Petitioner re-alleges and incorporates paragraphs i through 11
as if set forth fully herein.
26. Section 466.028(1)(y), Florida Statutes (2015-2016), subjects
dental hygienists to discipline for practicing or offering to practice beyond
the scope permitted by law or accepting and performing professional
responsibilities which the licensee knows or has reason to know that she or
he is not competent to perform.
DOH v. Julio Suarez D.H. 4
DOH Case No. 2016-17706
27. Respondent practiced or offered to practice beyond the scope
permitted by law or accepted and performed professional responsibilities
which Respondent knew or had reason know that he was not competent to
perform in one or more of the following manners:
a) Placing one or|more fillings in Patient H.A’s teeth; and/or
b) Extracting one or more of Patient H.A/s teeth.
28. Based on the foregoing, Respondent has violated section
466.028(1)(y).
COUNT II — PATIENT S.S.
29. Petitioner re-alleges and incorporates paragraphs 1 through 7
and 12 through 15 as if set forth fully herein.
30. Section 466.028(1)(y) subjects dental hygienists to discipline for
practicing or offering to practice beyond the scope permitted by law or
accepting and performing professional responsibilities which the licensee
knows or has reason to know that she or he is not competent to perform.
31. Respondent practiced or offered to practice beyond the scope
permitted by law or accepted and performed professional responsibilities
which Respondent knew or had reason know that he was not competent to
perform by extracting at least one of Patient S.S.’ teeth.
DOH v. Julio Suarez D.H. 5
DOH Case No. 2016-17706
32. Based on the foregoing, Respondent has violated section
466.028(1)(y).
COUNT II — PATIENT D.B.
33. Petitioner re-alleges and incorporates paragraphs 1 through 7
and 16 through 19 as if set forth fully herein.
34. Section 466.028(1)(y) subjects dental hygienists to discipline for
practicing or offering to practice beyond the scope permitted by law or
accepting and performing professional responsibilities which the Jicensee
knows or has reason to know that she or he is not competent to perform.
35. Respondent practiced or offered to practice beyond the scope
permitted by law or accepted and performed professional responsibilities
which Respondent knew or had reason know that he was not competent to
perform by placing one or more fillings in Patient D.B.’s teeth.
36. Based on the foregoing, Respondent has violated section
466.028(1){y).
COUNT IV — PATIENT D.D.
37. - Petitioner re-alleges and incorporates paragraphs 1 through 7
and 20 through 24 as if set forth fully herein.
DOH v. Julio Suarez D.H. 6
DOH Case No, 2016-17706
38. Section 466.028(1)(y) subjects dental hygienists to discipline for
practicing or offering to practice beyond the scope permitted by law or
accepting and performing professional responsibilities which the licensee
knows or has reason to know that she or he is not competent to perform.
39. Respondent practiced or offered to practice beyond the scope
permitted by law or accepted and performed professional responsibilities
which Respondent knew or had reason know that he was not competent to
perform in one or more of the following manners:
a) Placing at least one of the fillings that Patient D.D. received;
b) Extracting at least one of her teeth; and/or
c) Performing at least one alveoplasty procedure on Patient D.D.
40. Based on the foregoing, Respondent has violated section
466.028(1)(y).
WHEREFORE, the Petitioner respectfully requests that the Board
enter an order imposing one/or more of the following penalties: permanent
revocation or suspension of Respondent's certificate and license, restriction
of practice, imposition of an administrative fine, issuance of a reprimand,
placement of the Respondent on probation, corrective action, refund of
DOH v. Julio Suarez D.H. 7
DOH Case No. 2016-17706
fees billed or collected, remedial education and/or any other relief that the
Board deems appropriate.
SIGNED this [ ‘
FILE!
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
DEPUTY CLERK
CLERK = Angel Aanders
DATE MAR 1 9 2020.
PCP: March 13, 2020
day of pac, , 2020.
Scott A. Rivkees, MD
State Surgeon General
Octavio Simoes-Ponce, Esq.
Assistant General Counsel
Department of Health
Prosecution Services Unit
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C-65
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3265
Phone: (850) 558-9902
Fax: (850) 245-4684
Florida Bar # 0096511
Octavio.Simoes-Ponce@flhealth.gov
PCP Members: Claudio Miro, D.D.S., Leonard Britten, D.D.S., and Catherine
Cabanzon, D.H.
DOH v. Julio Suarez D.H.
DOH Case No, 2016-17706
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 jargument, 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. A request or petition
for an administrative hearing must be in writing and must be
received by the Department within 21 days from the day
Respondent received the Administrative Complaint, pursuant to
Rule 28-106.111(2), Florida Administrative Code.
If Respondent fails/to request a hearing within 21 days of
receipt of this Administrative Complaint, Respondent waives the
right to request a hearingjon the facts alleged in this Administrative
Complaint pursuant to Rule 28-106.111(4), Florida Administrative
Code. Any request for an administrative proceeding to challenge or
contest the material {facts or charges contained in the
Administrative Complaint must conform to Rule 28-106.2015(5),
Florida Administrative Code.
Please be advised that mediation under Section 120.573,
Florida Statutes, is not available for administrative disputes
involving this agency action.
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. Julio Suarez D.H. 9
DOH Case No. 2016-17706
PS Form 3817, Facsimile, July 2015
0 ee
Th
ie Sart so sn ena ante abe pa
I
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i
Exhibit B
Ron DeSantis
Mission: . Govemor
To protect, promote & improve the health
of all people in Florida through Integrated Pewee 2
state, county & community efforts. Ori é
HEALTH
Vision:|To be the Healthiest State in the Nation
Scott A. Rivkees, MD
State Surgeon General
AFFIDAVIT
I, Jessica Sapp, Executive Director, Custodian for the Board of Dentistry
hereby certify in my official capacity as custodian for the Board's licensure files,
that the Board of Dentistry has not received an Election of Rights form or other
responsive pleading which requests a hearing prior to any agency action
regarding Julio Suarez, D.H.,| Case Number 2016-17706, which would
affect the Subject's substantial interest or rights.
Board of Dentistry
identity is known to me(personally by type of
identification) and who, under gath, acknowledges that her signature appears
above.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this__ 1 day of fol a
Before me, re erste red Jasica Sapp , whose
2020.
NOTARY PU BLIC
My Commission Expires:
cr ACE NIC SE NICOLE BEN '
ye wv con RO ON a2
is
S: i 80 2023
EXPIRE! rN bt
Exhibit C
Florida Department of Health
Office of the General Counsel « Prosecution Services Unit
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C-65 « Tallahassee, FL 32399-3265
EXPRESS MAIL ADDRESS: 2585 Merchants Row - Suite 105 Accredited Health Department
PHONE: 245-4640 + FAX 245-4684 fs} Public Health Accreditation Board
FloridaHealth.gov
Mission: Ron DeSantis
to protect, promote & improve the health es Governor
of all people in Florida through integrated z Tear ele .
state, county & community efforts. iorida Scott Sule Suen Ce mp
Vision To be the Healthiest State In the Nation
AFFIDAVIT
a a, : > _, Deputy Clerk for the Department Clerk's Office,
hereby certify in m *) i acl as custodian for the Department Clerk’s records, that
the Department Clerk's Office has not received an Election of Rights form or other
responsive pleading, which requests a hearing prior to any Department action regarding
Julio Suarez, D.H., CASE NO. 2016-17706, which would affect the Respondent's
substantial interests or rights.
Custodian of ®ecord
Department Clerk’s Office
STATE OF FLORIDA
COUNTY OF LEON
Sworn to (or affirmed) and subscribed before me by means of Nf
notarization, this Ly day of Ay ye \ , 2020, by f
Chsetr. Tracie
Signature of Notary Public ;
Print, Type or Stamp Commissioned name of Notary Public
My Commission Expires:
JANDA MORALES A:
Commission # GG 232845 a:
Expires June 27, 2022 im:
nied Thr Troy Fain Insurance: 00905-7019 if
Personally Known Sor Produced Identification
Type of Identification Produced,
Exhibit D
i
Florida Department of Heaith
Office of the General Counsel — Prosecition Services Unit
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C-65 « Tallahassee, FL 32399-3265
EXPRESS MAIL: 2585 Merchants Row, ‘Suite 105
PHONE: 850/245-4640 « FAX: 850/245-4684
FloridaHealth.gov
Ba . Accredited Health Department
= EIAIs] Public Health Accreditation Board
Docket for Case No: 20-002842PL
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Aug. 12, 2020 |
Order Closing File and Relinquishing Jurisdiction. CASE CLOSED.
|
Aug. 11, 2020 |
Joint Motion to Relinquish Jurisdiction filed.
|
Aug. 10, 2020 |
Request to Produce filed.
|
Aug. 10, 2020 |
Respondent's Notice of Serving Interrogatory on Petitioner filed.
|
Jul. 30, 2020 |
Petitioner's Amended Notice of Taking Deposition (Julio Suarez, D.H.) filed.
|
Jul. 22, 2020 |
Petitioner's Notice of Taking Deposition (Julio Suarez, D.H.) filed.
|
Jul. 15, 2020 |
Respondent's Notice of Serving Answers to Petitioner's First Set of Interrogatories filed.
|
Jul. 15, 2020 |
Respondent's Notice of Serving Answers to Petitioner's First Request to Produce filed.
|
Jul. 15, 2020 |
Respondent's Notice of Serving Answers to Petitioner's First Set of Requests for Admissions filed.
|
Jul. 02, 2020 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
|
Jul. 02, 2020 |
Notice of Hearing by Zoom Conference (hearing set for August 20, 2020; 9:00 a.m.; Tallahassee).
|
Jun. 30, 2020 |
Notice of Serving Petitioner's First Request for Admissions, Petitioner's First Set of Interrogatories, and First Request for Production filed.
|
Jun. 30, 2020 |
Joint Response to Initial Order filed.
|
Jun. 23, 2020 |
Initial Order.
|
Jun. 15, 2020 |
Memorandum Opposition to the Department's Motion for Determination of Waiver and for Final Order by Hearing not Involving Disputed Issues of Material Fact filed.
|
Jun. 15, 2020 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
|
Jun. 15, 2020 |
Motion for Determination of Waiver and for Final Order by Hearing not Involving Disputed Issues of Material Fact filed.
|
Jun. 15, 2020 |
Agency referral filed.
|