*Editor's note: This story has been updated to correctly list the Florida Board of Dentistry's disciplinary guidelines
The owner and operator of Creighton Road's Stamitoles Dental Center found himself in the Escambia County Jail again Friday after another woman came forward with battery allegations, making this the fourth time this year he has been behind bars.
Dr. Charles Stamitoles, a 65-year-old dentist with two court dates for battery approaching, was arrested and charged with misdemeanor battery after another patient alleged he kissed her and touched her breasts during examinations.
The patient told deputies that the dentist would "sometimes kiss her on the forehead and tell her how beautiful she was," and he would allegedly "touch her cheek with his hands ... while kissing her forehead and (saying) he would fix her."
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She also reported that while she was in the dental chair, Stamitoles "grabbed her right hand with his hand and brought it towards his private region" and "grabbed her breasts with his hands and smashed them together."
This report brings the total count of battery allegations to 18 since May 2022, according to the reporting officer's records check, though some will not be prosecuted because of Florida's statute of limitations for misdemeanor offenses.
Stamitoles' arrests began May 27 when an employee of the dental center told authorities that Stamitoles slapped her backside and kissed her head while hugging her from behind.
He was arrested again six day later on June 2 after multiple patients reported to the Escambia County Sheriff's Office that he touched their breasts and spoke to them in a sexual nature while suggestively touching them.
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Stamitoles was arrested again June 17 for a felony charge of battery against a 74-year-old woman.
The woman alleges after she told Stamitoles she may change dentists, Stamitoles "placed both of his hands on each side of her face, while putting his face about six to eight inches in front of her face and told her to look into his eyes." He then allegedly kissed her and told her he can fix her teeth.
On June 23, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo ordered an emergency restriction on Stamitoles' license restricting him from practicing on female patients. He was also issued a formal reprimand.
The emergency order said "Dr. Stamitoles has exhibited a pattern of increasingly predatory and sexually aggressive behavior. Dr. Stamitoles has willfully abused his position as a dentist to sexually violate patients wo trusted him to act professionally and within the boundaries of generally accepted treatment. Dr. Stamitoles' deviant actions demonstrate that he poses a significant danger to female patients."
The order notes that in 2004, a former employee filed a civil complaint against Stamitoles after he allegedly kissed her on the head, held himself against her in a hug and slapped her buttocks. In Nov. 21, 2006, a jury found that Stamitoles committed battery and awarded the woman damages.
According to the Florida Department of Health disciplinary guidelines for the Florida Board of Dentistry, here are the minimum and maximum disciplinary actions taken if a dentist is found guilty of "a crime directly relating to practice or ability to practice" dentistry:
As of Tuesday morning, Stamitoles has two court dates scheduled for the alleged offenses — a pretrial plea day on four counts of misdemeanor battery on Aug. 30 and a docket day for the felony battery charge on Oct. 4.
Stamitoles made bond each time he was arrested, including the $25,000 bond for Friday's arrest.
Benjamin Johnson can be reached at bjohnson@pnj.com or 850-435-8578