TikTok Famous Dentist Sues Colleague Over Online Debate

Dr. Kenny Smiles Takes Legal Action Against Dr. Miguel Ortiz

USA: In a legal battle that originated from an online debate gone wrong, Dr. Kenny Smiles, a well-known dentist with a substantial TikTok following, whose real name is Kenneth Wilstead, has filed a lawsuit against another social media-famous dentist, Dr. Miguel Ortiz. 

The complaint, dated October 9th, alleges that Dr. Kenny is taking legal action against Dr. Ortiz, who practices dentistry in Massachusetts, for business disparagement against Dr. Kenny’s practice, Smile Again Dental, and an intrusive invasion of privacy.

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Unraveling of a Live Online “Debate”

The lawsuit revolves around a live “debate” that took place on Instagram between the two dentists, which began on June 10th. During the initial planning, Dr. Ortiz reportedly informed Dr. Kenny that the debate would focus on different methods of cosmetic dentistry. However, the lawsuit contends that Dr. Ortiz had ulterior motives, intending to ambush Dr. Kenny and question his ethics while trying to discredit his methods.

The crux of the issue, according to the complaint, is that Dr. Ortiz aimed to tarnish Dr. Kenny’s reputation and business, attempting to divert Dr. Kenny’s patients and potential patient base to his own practice. The lawsuit portrays their interaction as a “witch hunt” focused on Dr. Kenny’s use of dental caps and crown replacement methods, with Dr. Ortiz allegedly exaggerating and misrepresenting the situation.

Accusations and Escalations

Dr. Ortiz was accused of using falsification and exaggeration to discredit Dr. Kenny’s methods, characterizing them as extreme, impermanent, and potentially harmful to patients. He also questioned the pricing of Dr. Kenny’s services and suggested that they could lead to future dental problems, as per the complaint.

The complaint further alleges that Dr. Kenny eventually walked off-camera during the live debate, but Dr. Ortiz continued to discuss Dr. Kenny’s ethics. While the complaint doesn’t provide further details on this topic, it is noted that it has been a trending issue on TikTok in recent weeks.

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Community Backlash and Accusations

Amid the legal battle, Dr. Kenny has faced backlash from the TikTok community, with several users accusing him of sending inappropriate messages to social media users and potential patients. The Independent reported an instance where a user claimed Dr. Kenny messaged her with inappropriate content in response to an inquiry about dental services. The Independent has reached out to Dr. Kenny’s lawyer regarding these allegations.

In the past, a patient sued Dr. Kenny, accusing him of inappropriate touching. Dr. Kenny vehemently denied the accusations, stating that he is innocent of any wrongdoing. This lawsuit further exacerbated the dentists’ issues.

Fallout and Legal Action

As a result of the live debate and subsequent discussions, Dr. Kenny claims to have suffered public humiliation, lost business, and received numerous complaints and questions from patients, which has raised concerns about the quality and reliability of his work. He is seeking monetary relief ranging from $250,000 to $1,000,000.

Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Kenny have yet to provide statements regarding the legal action. A lawyer was not listed for Dr. Ortiz. This isn’t the first time Dr. Kenny has taken legal action against another dentist. In 2020, he sued North Carolina dentist Dr. Shelby Comer, alleging defamatory statements and business disparagement, which resulted in counterclaims by Dr. Comer. The case was ultimately dismissed in September 2021.

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