The Smile Mission lawsuit record consists of two federal cases filed in 2024, both in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, and both alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. One ended in a settlement. The other was voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiff within about a month. Neither produced a court ruling on whether the dental practice actually violated the ADA.
Barberi v. The Smile Mission PLLC
Renzo Barberi filed his complaint on June 7, 2024, naming The Smile Mission PLLC and a co-defendant, Dustin’s Real Estate LLC. The case was docketed as 1:24-cv-22201. It sought declaratory and injunctive relief under 42 U.S.C. § 12182, the ADA provision that bars discrimination on the basis of disability in places of public accommodation.1CourtListener. Barberi v. The Smile Mission PLLC, 1:24-cv-22201 The case fell under “Civil Rights: Accommodations,” a category that in comparable Barberi filings has involved physical architectural barriers such as non-compliant parking, inaccessible entryways, and door hardware that fails to meet ADA standards.2Archive.org. Barberi v. Winwood Motor Lodge Inc., Complaint
The defendants answered on July 25, 2024, and discovery filings followed in August. The parties reached agreement in January 2025. A notice of settlement was filed on January 17, a stipulation of dismissal on January 24, and the court entered an order closing the case on January 29, 2025.1CourtListener. Barberi v. The Smile Mission PLLC, 1:24-cv-22201 The settlement terms are not part of the public docket.
Dustin’s Real Estate LLC appears to be a property-related entity connected to the practice’s operations, though the court record does not spell out the specific relationship between the two companies.3CourtListener. Barberi v. The Smile Mission PLLC, Parties
Watson v. The Smile Mission PLLC
The second case was filed on October 24, 2024, by plaintiff James Watson and assigned to Senior Judge Robert N. Scola Jr. under docket number 1:24-cv-24124. Like Barberi’s suit, it alleged violations of 42 U.S.C. § 12182 and was categorized as “Civil Rights: Americans with Disabilities – Other.”4CourtListener. Watson v. The Smile Mission PLLC, 1:24-cv-24124
It closed quickly. Watson filed a notice of voluntary dismissal on November 26, 2024, and the court entered an order closing the case the following day.5CourtListener. Watson v. The Smile Mission PLLC, Parties The docket does not explain why Watson dropped the case.
Why Both Suits Look Alike
Both cases fit a pattern documented in Florida’s federal courts. Renzo Barberi has been identified as a serial filer of ADA accessibility lawsuits, and at least one legal commentary site has grouped him with other plaintiffs who file multiple similar cases against businesses across the state.6Access Defense. Serial ADA Filers in Florida A separate Barberi complaint against a different business identified specific barriers including non-compliant parking spaces, entryways with steps, and door hardware that did not meet ADA standards.2Archive.org. Barberi v. Winwood Motor Lodge Inc., Complaint
Businesses named in these suits often settle quickly. The Barberi case against The Smile Mission followed that trajectory, resolving in roughly seven months. The Watson case ended even faster. Because neither reached a decision on the merits, no court has determined whether The Smile Mission actually violated the ADA.
About the Defendant
The Smile Mission is a dental practice founded by Dr. Dustin Pfundheller, who holds a D.M.D. from the University of Florida College of Dentistry.7The Smile Mission. About Us The practice operates 12 clinics in Florida, in cities including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, and Sarasota, and also has locations in Richmond, Virginia; Buford, Georgia; and Alabama.8The Smile Mission. Clinic Locations
Pfundheller is listed as the manager of The Smile Mission on the practice’s Better Business Bureau profile, which carries a B rating and is not BBB-accredited. Three complaints had been filed with the BBB as of the most recent available data.9Better Business Bureau. The Smile Mission Fort Lauderdale