The Florida dental board has reprimanded a dentist accused of failing to use a dental dam during a root canal, causing a patient to swallow a dental hand file, according to a recently signed settlement order.
Dr. David Dudzinski must complete additional endodontia/root canal treatment continuing education and pay a $7,500 fine plus $6,746 in investigation and prosecution costs, according to the settlement order.
Dudzinski didn’t admit or deny the allegations.
In July 2023, Dudzinski performed a root canal on a patient. During the procedure, he reportedly did not use a dental dam, and the patient swallowed a dental file that was being used for the root canal, according to the complaint.
In dentistry, the minimum standard of performance requires a dentist to use a rubber dam during root canal treatment to isolate the tooth and minimize the risk of a patient swallowing instruments and chemicals used to clean the canals, according to the complaint.
In July 2024, Dudzinski’s insurance provider paid the patient $228,000. Due to Dudzinski failing to meet the minimum standard of performance in diagnosis and treatment in this case, it was required that he be disciplined by the state dental board, according to the complaint.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
