A recommendation to dismiss one of three complaints against Dr. Francesco Sebastiani, stemming from a patient’s death in 2023, is advisory and not binding.
An administrative law judge on Thursday recommended that the Florida Department of Health Board of Dentistry throw out an administrative complaint against the Ponte Vedra dentist connected to a patient’s death during a dental procedure.
The recommendation followed an administrative hearing involving Dr. Francesco Sebastiani and the death of his patient, Colleen Krause Straw, who died during a dental implant procedure in 2023.
Straw died after complications developed during the procedure performed by Sebastiani.
In its administrative complaint, the state alleged that Dr. Sebastiani failed to treat a high-risk patient in a hospital setting, did not maintain proper monitoring, and failed to attempt to stabilize Straw with advanced airway support or intubation after a medical emergency emerged.
The Florida Surgeon General recommended the dentist face penalties that could include permanently revoking or suspending his license.
The judge found that the Department of Health failed to prove by clear and convincing evidence that Dr. Sebastiani acted below an acceptable standard of care. The case is expected to be heard by the Board of Dentistry at its November 6, 2026 meeting in Ft. Lauderdale.
Sebastiani faces two other administrative complaints from the Department of Health, one involving advertising and the other regarding the death of a patient at Florida Dental Implant Studio in Ponte Vedra in 2025.
44-year-old Roy Estes III died in October 2025 at the Ponte Vedra dental office during a full-mouth dental implant procedure with Sebastiani.
The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office investigated Estes’ death but declined to file criminal charges in April 2026 after the medical examiner’s office classified Estes’ death as an accident.
The medical examiner determined Estes died from a combination of substances, including a compound found in kratom, an antidepressant, a medicine commonly known as Benadryl, along with a numbing medication used in dental procedures. The report states all were present at levels within reported toxic ranges.
The Department of Health filed an administrative complaint against Sebastiani in Estes’ death in May 2026 seeking disciplinary action that could include permanently revoking or suspending his license. No disciplinary action has been taken against Sebastiani, and his license remains clear and active.
In a statement to First Coast News, Sebastiani’s attorney, Jon Pellett said, “We believe the evidence admitted at the hearing supports the administrative law judge’s conclusions and findings, and they should not be disturbed.”
First Coast News reached out to the Department of Health for a comment but we have not heard back.