The Pennsylvania Board of Dentistry suspended a dentist's license after he violated the terms of a consent agreement by consuming alcohol and closing his practice without providing dental services for patients who had paid in advance, the Erie Times-News reported Feb. 28.
Robert Esser, DDS, reached a consent agreement with the dental board in January 2021 in which he admitted to having an alcohol use disorder since 2019. He underwent substance abuse treatment earlier in the year. Dr. Esser agreed to several terms under the agreement, including abstaining from alcohol, undergoing drug and alcohol testing, and participating in monthly calls with the Pennsylvania Medical Society's Physician's Health Program. Additionally, he agreed not to withdraw from any dentist-patient relationships that didn't allow patients to obtain dental care in a timely manner.
Dr. Esser violated several terms under the agreement between November 2021 and March 2022, according to an October 2022 report from the Pennsylvania Department of State, which oversees the state dental board. The department suspended his license until Oct. 20, 2025.
His practice, Esser Family Dental, was sold in a bankruptcy sale, the news organization reported.
To earn his license back after October 2025, Dr. Esser must pass a criminal background check, prove that he did not practice dentistry during his suspension and meet any administrative requirements.