Dr. Jay Jensen was sanctioned after multiple malpractice claims and patient complaints.
A former Iowa dentist with a long history of legal and professional trouble has once again drawn disciplinary action from the state’s dental board. Although his license is no longer active, the Iowa Dental Board recently moved forward with sanctions against Dr. Jay Jensen, whose dental work has been the subject of multiple lawsuits and prior board complaints. The latest action stems from a patient’s report of pain and bleeding after receiving dental implants, which later raised serious questions about the quality and safety of the procedure.
A consultant hired by the board reviewed the Jay Jensen case and found that the treatment failed to meet the expected level of care. This decision contradicted the opinion of an oral surgeon who had seen the same patient. Still, the board moved ahead with its disciplinary process, though it took nearly three years from the time the complaint was first investigated. During that time, Jensen’s license expired and he moved to Texas. Though no longer practicing in Iowa, the board chose to issue a formal penalty and restrict his now-defunct license to prohibit him from performing implant and restoration work.
The woman at the center of the latest complaint filed a lawsuit in August 2024. Her case details a painful aftermath from what she believed would be a routine cosmetic dental procedure. Following implant work in 2022, she reported unusual bleeding and discomfort. At one point, she noticed an odd feeling inside her nose and was told later by a specialist that part of the implant had possibly broken through bone near her nasal cavity. She later saw doctors at the Mayo Clinic, who reportedly found metal positioned near her sinus area. In the lawsuit, she described being left with poorly made veneers and deteriorating dental work that affected her speech, her ability to eat, and her appearance. She claims this has affected her ability to perform her job, which requires public speaking.
Jensen and his former employer, Plaza Dental Group, deny the allegations. Their trial is currently scheduled for March 2026.
This is not the first time Jensen has been in legal trouble. Over the past 15 years, he has faced six malpractice claims. Some of those cases were dismissed or settled without public details. In one 2019 case, a patient alleged that she received implant work from another dentist at Jensen’s clinic without being informed of prior board actions taken against that provider. That lawsuit was settled out of court.
Another lawsuit in 2024 accused Jensen of extracting all of a patient’s teeth and attempting to place implants even though a previous disciplinary order had barred him from performing such procedures. The patient said she was left with severe complications and now faces extensive surgical repairs, including bone grafting. That case was dismissed hours after it was filed but may be brought back at a later time.
Jensen’s professional troubles began years earlier. In 2009, the Iowa Dental Board charged him after reviewing a patient’s full-mouth reconstruction. According to board records, the work was poorly done, lacked proper planning, and led to lasting discomfort for the patient. A consultant concluded that Jensen lacked the skill to perform the procedure safely. Two years later, he agreed to settle with the board by paying a $5,000 fine and agreeing to stop performing major reconstructions. But in 2019, the board accused him of ignoring that agreement. He was found to have performed another full-mouth reconstruction, leading the board to issue a formal warning and restate the earlier restriction.
Even though he no longer practices in the state, the board’s actions are now part of the professional record of Jay Jensen. The pattern of complaints, lawsuits, and board investigations reflects ongoing concerns about patient safety and oversight in dental care. While some cases were dismissed, the repeated disciplinary actions raise questions about how long it took for the most serious restrictions to be put in place. The story is a reminder that even once a license lapses, regulatory boards can still act—and sometimes only after a long delay.
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After six malpractice claims, dentist is sanctioned a third time — once his license expires
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