A dentist in Arizona who had his license suspended by the state dental board for allegedly using "rusty," unsterilized pliers to remove an implant from a sedated patient cannot return to practice at least for now, according to a story published by ABC15 Arizona.
On December 6, the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners denied a settlement offer from Dr. Robert Janisse of Flagstaff Laser Dentistry in Flagstaff, AZ. Janisse had offered to be on probation, take continuing education, and uphold anesthesia procedure restrictions if he could return to practicing dentistry, according to the story.
The board determined that Janisse must wait for a formal hearing before an administrative law judge on December 19. During the hearing, it will be determined whether disciplinary action can be taken against his license, according to the story.
In November 2024, the dental board suspended Janisse's license for allegedly grabbing channel lock pliers from a toolbox and using them to remove a man's implant during oral surgery in November 2023. Janisse, who was issued a license in 2012, reportedly used the unsterilized tool after having trouble removing the tooth with surgical forceps.
The patient, who had a compromised immune system, making it more difficult for him to fight off possible infection, alleges that the pliers were "rusty" and that Janisse made a shushing sign to an assistant when he pulled them from the toolbox.
However, this wasn't the only problem related to this patient's treatment. The board alleges that Janisse unnecessarily removed all of the man's lower teeth, though most were healthy and could be restored. Furthermore, the board stated that the dentist exceeded the necessary sedation dosage for the patient and disregarded the risk of the man's high blood pressure.
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