On February 20, 2026, the University of Florida (UF) Board of Trustees, along with UF Health and Shands, became defendants in a negligence lawsuit related to an alleged mishap during a dental procedure performed by Dr. Sherif Hosney.
The plaintiff asserts that they underwent a routine dental procedure on July 10, 2023, at the UF Health Faculty Dental Practice located in Gainesville. According to the lawsuit, during the procedure, Dr. Hosney inadvertently dropped a 2.5-centimeter dental burr into the plaintiff’s throat, leading to its swallowing or aspiration while the patient was lying on a dental chair with an open mouth.
The lawsuit claims that Dr. Hosney failed to detect and retrieve the dental burr promptly, neglecting to initiate necessary emergency protocols to ascertain its location or mitigate potential risks of further harm. As a result of this alleged negligence, the plaintiff was urgently transported to the UF Health Shands Emergency Department for evaluation. Initially, medical staff suspected that the burr had entered the plaintiff’s respiratory system, prompting further examination.
The legal documents highlight that due to the characteristics of the dental burr—specifically its size, metallic composition, and the associated risks of perforation and infection—the plaintiff required extended hospitalization. She was admitted to UF Health Shands Hospital for about five days, during which time she experienced significant distress due to uncertainty over the burr’s location and potential health consequences.
Ultimately, the dental burr was located in the plaintiff’s cecum, and it took several days before it was safely removed on her final day of hospitalization. Throughout this ordeal, emotional trauma stemming from fear and anxiety over her health was also reported.
Summons have been issued for the defendants, who have yet to provide a response to the allegations in court. Currently, there are no scheduled court dates. The plaintiff is seeking damages exceeding $100,000, and multiple legal entities associated with UF Health and Shands have been included in the lawsuit based on their respective roles in the care provided.
This case underscores the critical importance of adhering to proper medical protocols and the potential consequences when safety measures are not followed in healthcare settings. As the legal proceedings unfold, they could shed light on the responsibilities of healthcare professionals during procedures and the systems in place to ensure patient safety.