A dentist in Arizona accused of using "rusty," unsterilized pliers to remove an implant from an immunocompromised sedated patient has had his dental license revoked, according to multiple news articles published on March 7.
On March 7 in a 5-to-2 vote, the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners moved to revoke the license of Dr. Robert Janisse of Flagstaff Laser Dentistry in Flagstaff, AZ, according to the articles.
In November 2024, the dental board suspended Janisse's license for allegedly pulling 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 that makes it more difficult for him to fight off possible infection, alleged 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 alleged that Janisse unnecessarily removed all of the man's lower teeth, though most were healthy and could have been 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.
In December 2024, the state board denied a settlement offer from Janisse to be on probation, take continuing education, and uphold anesthesia procedure restrictions if he could return to practicing dentistry. The board determined that Janisse had to wait for a formal hearing before a decision could be made.
