Deamonte Driver dies in February 2007, from a brain infection due to a cavity. http://deamontesdentalproject.org/.
Since then there have been at least 20 children die during or just after dental treatment. Those are just the ones we know about. It is my personal belief there are three others in 2011.
The pediatric dental community stormed the halls of Congress demanding better access to dental treatment. In the process of trying to do something good, as what many times happens within the Halls of Congress, a good intention has gone terribly wrong.
Children are dying at a lightening speed, children are being over treated with high reimbursement procedures where the money lands on Wall Street and state budgets are off the charts. But NOT a soul, NOT ONE, from the Pediatric Dental Community has made their way to the halls of Congress demanding something be done to stop the deaths from the dental treatment its self. 1 can die from lack of treatment, 20 can die because of treatment, and we can't even get a 2 minute segment on the morning talk show to run a story sitting in their vaults.
WTH!
ABC News has had a segment filmed and completed for well over a year. It was to be shown on Good Morning America.
NBC News started to film a story about this in mid December 2011, the postponed it. Likely didn't plan to run it at all. Then the next day or two, a couple of teens dies during Christmas break. They decided to bring everyone back to NYC and film the segment the first week of January. Not seen it yet!!
Showing posts with label Deaths. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Deaths. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
- Dr. Patrick Bamgboye-Another dentist has killed two children - One in 2004 and another one last week
IRVINGTON, N.J. (WABC) -- Two sets of parents are demanding a criminal investigation into the same dentist in New Jersey.
"He was my dream.. My future. The light of my life," said Jose Quiej, the patient's father.
Little Juan Quiej was just three years old and suffered cardiac arrest during a routine dental procedure. His mother watched helplessly as Juan slipped away.
"I started shaking and crying," Antonia Chajchalac-Garcia, the patient's mother said, "To this day, I don't know what happened or why."
She brought her son to Dental Health Associates in Irvington, New Jersey.
The procedure was conducted last week under local anesthesia by Patrick Bamgboye.
His dental license was suspended after a six-year-old patient died under somewhat similar circumstances in 2004.
"This is shocking, and they should have done something in the first place," said Farah Torres, the patient's mother.
Kyneicha Pagan had cerebral palsy and suffered a seizure.
But, his license was suspended for, "Failing to obtain an appropriate medical history, failing to adequately assess the patient's medical condition, and failing to ensure all emergency equipment was available."
Dr. Bamgboye, the board concluded, "Has engaged in repeated acts of negligence."
State regulations allowed the dentist to resume practicing under probation.
Joseph Ginarte is now representing both families.
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
The deaths at the dentist office we don’t hear about
This was posted on a dental forum/message board back in April 2011:
A friend of mine is an associate for a dental office. There are two doctors working that day, he and the other doctor ( i will call her Sue). Dr. Sue attempted to perform a surgical extraction #17 on the patient. The patient is 39 yr old male. After spending some time unsuccessfully trying to remove tooth, Dr. Sue decided to stop and refer to OS. Pt. was dismissed from the chair, and walked to front desk to reappoint with OS. Pt. complained of dizziness shortly after. He went to use he restroom. Dr. Sue didn't want to enter the restroom so she asked my doctor riend to check on him. He went and checked blood pressure of patient. Pt. had bp 250/110 and called paramedic. Without going further into detail, Pt. was taken by paramedic. My friend doctor found out later the pt. had hx hypertension and didn't take his bp meds that day. Also, my friend found out only later that night pt also fell while trying to use restroom. Pt. had surgery for something in his head (no specific details given) in ER and went into coma. Apparently he never came out and passed away a month later. My friend said Dr. Sue never checked her pt. med hx prior to procedure. No blood pressure was taken either prior to work and no consent forms were signed for extraction procedure. Dr. Sue did state in her notes that she administered local anesthetic with epinephrine and she stated same to paramedic upon questioning by them. My friend was the one who took the pt. blood pressure and called 911, helped get Oxygen for pt and stayed with patient. Dr. Sue was working on another pt the whole time and didn't come out until paramedic came. It seemed she defer all responsibility to my friend when it was her patient. What type of legal repercussions will this have on Dr. Sue or my friend doctor. I know he was not the treating doctor but since this is involved a pt. death what is going to happen legally here for everyone? The owner of the dental office is neither Dr. Sue or my friend.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
Fox News report on Jenny Olenick’s parents suing dentist after her death. Jenny died in 2011
There have been 24 pediatric deaths related to complications due to dental procedures in the past seven years. This number accounts only for reported pediatric deaths. Shockingly, of the 24 pediatric deaths occurring within the seven year period, 11 have been within the last 21 months. 52% of the deaths have occurred since April of 2010! What once may have been viewed as a rarity has clearly become an epidemic. Wake-up Dr. Milton Houpt!
If you add the adult deaths, the numbers skyrocket. If we knew the exact number of pediatric deaths and adult deaths I think everyone would be is shock! Many are unreported as taking place during dental procedures. Just last week I heard from a person whose friend’s husband had died in Florida just a few months ago during a dental procedure. She said the man had been dead for 15 minutes before the dental assistant brought it to his attention. This never saw the pages of a news paper or a spot on the evening news. There are hundreds more of these same kind of stories. Mr. Milton Houpt ,the ADA and the AAPD do NOT want the true numbers told, it’s a $3 billion dollar a year industry!
Here is a memo sent out by the AAPD after the death of Jacobi Hill in Richmond, Virginia in 2010.
Nor does the DOCS Education program; a drive thru; weekend; three day seminar to teach dentist the fine art of sedation. Used to help general dentists increase services and revenue streams. A very dangerous one at that!
Someone has suggested it’s only a coincidence that the major dental agencies that set the standards and shape state rules and regulations are all located at the same address in Chicago: 211 E. Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
American Student Dental Association
American College of Prosthodontists
American Association of Endodontists
and…drum roll please…..
Just a coincidence?
The ADA owns the building and simply leases it to other organizations, no conspiracy?
I say Hogwash!!
The Raven Maria Blanco Foundation helps parents whose children have died during dental treatment
The Raven Maria Blanco Foundation (RMBF)was established after 8 year old Raven Blanco died during sedation dentistry. The foundation is committed to educating parents and professional of the risks that lead to these deaths as well as safety measures that can easily be taken to reduce such risks. The Raven Maria Blanco Foundation travels as funds will allow to dental conventions across the nation where they set up their booth to promote safety and educated the dental community. They are not always met with open arms. Here is a public service announcement from 2010
Here are the names of 39 children who have died in recent years.
I met with Nicole, Raven’s cousin and Director of the RMBF, and Mario, Raven’s father, and have to say they are some of the loveliest people you will ever meet. They truly are committed to their cause. Sadly it has been falling on many a deaf ear, but that has not deterred them for one minute. They work tirelessly and are never to busy to help. I am proud to know such wonderful and selfless people.
The RMBF provides much needed support for parents who have suffered the pain of death of their child. They assist in raising money to help pay for funeral expenses, including traveling to fundraisers when time allows. Other times it’s putting these parents in contact with each other to help each other for support.
The RMBF has a facebook page at http://facebook.com/rmbfinc
http://www.rmbfinc.org/
http://www.ravenblanco.com
RMBF, Inc.
PO BOX 65581
Virginia Beach, VA 23467
1-757-449-3565
Currently, they RMBF is seeking dontation to assist the family of Jermaine Lee Harrison, Jr who died during a dental procedure in Stockton, California on November 11, 2011.
You can make a donation by clicking here.
RMBF, INC. is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.
.
Here are the names of 39 children who have died in recent years.
I met with Nicole, Raven’s cousin and Director of the RMBF, and Mario, Raven’s father, and have to say they are some of the loveliest people you will ever meet. They truly are committed to their cause. Sadly it has been falling on many a deaf ear, but that has not deterred them for one minute. They work tirelessly and are never to busy to help. I am proud to know such wonderful and selfless people.
The RMBF provides much needed support for parents who have suffered the pain of death of their child. They assist in raising money to help pay for funeral expenses, including traveling to fundraisers when time allows. Other times it’s putting these parents in contact with each other to help each other for support.
The RMBF has a facebook page at http://facebook.com/rmbfinc
http://www.rmbfinc.org/
http://www.ravenblanco.com
RMBF, Inc.
PO BOX 65581
Virginia Beach, VA 23467
1-757-449-3565
Currently, they RMBF is seeking dontation to assist the family of Jermaine Lee Harrison, Jr who died during a dental procedure in Stockton, California on November 11, 2011.
You can make a donation by clicking here.
RMBF, INC. is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.
.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Stockton, California 4 year old, dead after dental surgery
By Joe Goldeen
Record Staff Writer
November 16, 2011 12:00 AM
STOCKTON - On Friday, Dominique Smith brought her son Jermaine, 4, to a dentist in Oakland. She later left him with the Alameda County coroner.
Something went wrong after Jermaine was given an oral anesthetic to calm him down and subdue any pain caused by the dental procedure intended to remove some rotten teeth and cap some others. The family wants some answers.
Jermaine died after doctors unsuccessfully attempted to revive him, administering chest compressions for up to 45 minutes, his family said.
On Aug. 6, 2007, in Stockton Jermaine Lee Harrison was born with a hole in the wall that separates the right and left ventricles of his heart. He required open-heart surgery and, about 12 months later, he had a pacemaker installed. Three years later, he was thriving and healthy, his family said.
"He was playful. He never wanted to stay in the house. He was a jolly little boy, a happy little boy," said his grandmother, Pamela McElroy of Stockton, who accompanied her daughter and grandson to Children's Hospital and Research Center Oakland last week where the dental procedure was scheduled.
Children's Hospital Oakland was familiar with Jermaine's medical history, the family said, because that's where his initial open-heart surgery was and where he returned every six months for a cardiology checkup.
The family is at a loss on what to do next. An autopsy report on the cause of death from the Coroner's Bureau of the Alameda County Sheriff's Office is not due for about a month, according to a coroner's spokesman who said it is standard procedure.
A spokeswoman for Children's Hospital Oakland said late Tuesday neither she nor hospital staff could speak about any aspect of the case without written consent from the family, which they are working on obtaining.
Anyone wishing to contact the family may call McElroy at (209) 271-3401.
Contact reporter Joe Goldeen at (209) 546-8278 or jgoldeen@recordnet.com. Visit his blog at recordnet.com/goldeenblog.
STOCKTON, Calif. (KCRA) -- A 4-year-old Stockton boy who survived three open-heart surgeries died Friday while having his teeth capped.
The boy’s grandmother, Pamela McElroy, said she watched as he was taken into an operating room. She never saw him alive again.
The cause of death remains a mystery, and an official at Oakland Children’s Hospital – where the dental surgery was performed Friday – said an investigation is underway.
“I just want to know what went wrong,” McElroy said.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Lessons to be learned from 1992 dental malpractice and murder case
$1.6 Million Awarded to 13 Patients of Convicted Dentist
October 08, 1992|MARLA CONE | TIMES STAFF WRITER
Thirteen patients of a Costa Mesa dentist who was convicted in 1984 of murdering three patients were awarded $1.6 million in damages Wednesday to be paid by a state insurance association, according to their attorney.
Dr. Tony Protopappas was convicted of three counts of second-degree murder after two women and a teen-age girl died during a five-month period from lethal doses of general anesthesia he administered during routine dental work. He is serving a 15-year term at a state prison.
The $1 million in damages and $600,000 in interest awarded Wednesday is in addition to $500,000 the plaintiffs were awarded from insurers in 1987, said their attorney, William Humphreys of the Santa Ana law firm of Horton, Barbaro & Reilly.
After Protopappas' arrest, his dental firm as well as his insurance company went bankrupt, so the claims were sent to the California Insurance Guaranty Assn., which is a statewide fund created by insurers to handle claims of companies that go bankrupt.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Hey Senator Ben Cardin–WAKE UP!
Senator Cardin’s boastful public statement from August 18, 2011.
Maryland Ranks First In Providing Child Dental Care
Armando TrullAugust 18, 2011 - Four years ago, 12-year-old Diamonte Driver from Prince George's County died from a brain infection created by an abscessed tooth because his mother was unable to get him adequate dental care. This death spurred Maryland to address this inadequacy, and now, things in the state are vastly different.
Maryland was ranked first in providing dental care for children in a recent Pew Center study.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Standard still being lowered when it comes to dental anesthesia
My point in sharing these links is to point out that even though kids are dying from teeth extractions performed by DDS and Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons... standards are being lowered still !
States where dental hygienists may administer locals
http://www.adha.org/governmental_affairs/downloads/localanesthesiamap.pdf
States where dental hygienists can administer nitrous
http://www.adha.org/governmental_affairs/downloads/Nitrousmap.pdf
Dental Hygiene Practice Act Overview:
Permitted Functions and Supervision Levels by State
http://www.adha.org/governmental_affairs/downloads/fiftyone.pdf
Comparison of Tasks: Dental Therapist vs Advanced Dental Therapist
http://www.dentalboard.state.mn.us/Default.aspx?tabid=1165
The principles, competencies, and curriculum for educating dental therapists
(American Assoc of Public Health Dentistry Panel)
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1752-7325.2011.00263.x/full
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Miciah Bonzani - Another Teenager Dies During Dental Treatment
update: May 28, 2011
The dentist’s who killed Miciah Bonzani May 4, 2011 was Dr. Raymond Seitz and had been Miciah's dentist for 12 years.
It was just the dentist and his receptionist that worked in the office do this procedure.
Miciah's sister had her wisdom teeth removed the month prior to Miciah. According to her , there were no monitors, no pulse/ox, no heart monitor and she didn't recall seeing an Automated External Difibulator (AED)/Crash cart of any kind.
Question still remain as to whether CPR was even performed on Miciah until the paramedics arrived.
On Angie's List, it says "Surgery is not performed at this site"
Dr. Raymond Seitz, DMD
General Dentist
2797 Leechburg Rd
Lower Burrell PA 15068
724-339-3220
According to Dr. Raymond Seitz he carries a Anesthesia Permit-Restricted II license.
Here is the application for a Restricted II license in Pennsylvania: Application.
According the the Restricted II license Dr. Raymond Seitz is only allowed to administrate Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas), nothing more!!
A fundraiser is being held July 9, 2011:
There is another child death for 2011, I believe that makes 4 so far. Miciah Bonzani from outside Pittsburgh died May 5, 2011. Story plus video at the link below.
New Kensington Teenager Dies Unexpectedly - News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh
I will be updating when I can dig up more details.
Prayers to her and her family.
God help us!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Mom of 6 year-old, Jacobi Hill, Plans to Sue VCU Medical Center
Mom of 6 year-old Plans to Sue VCU Medical Center - wtvr
RICHMOND, VA (WTVR) - The mother of a 6-year-old boy who died after a dental procedure last May says she plans to sue VCU.
"People say it gets easier day by day. No, it doesn't", says Crystal Lewis.
One year later, Lewis, the mother of 6 year-old Jacobi Hill still wonders why a simple dental procedure killed her son.
"It's always going to be a question in the back of my mind like, what happened, but I guess we'll never know until I get to the bottom of things", she says.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Jenny Olenick died in April. Here is a statement sent to us from Jenny’s mother on May 14, 2011
"During the April 17 Celebration of Jenny's life I told the young people present not to worry about having dental procedures because Jenny's death was a freak accident.
That's what I truly thought at the time. But after learning there are at least 8 other children in the nation who have died as a result of dental procedures in US dental offices within the past 1 1/2 years, I no longer see this as a "freak" accident.
I now look at dental office-related deaths as relatively common, and believe these are needless deaths that could have been prevented.
These children did not have to die. And if we wish to honor these childrens' memories, we need to make certain not one more child dies as a result of having a procedure done in a dentist's office".
Cathy Garger, Mother of Jenny Olenick.
17 year old Jenny Olenick dead during oral surgery–April 6, 2011–Freak Accident? Not anymore!
(written Thursday May 12, 2011, prior to receiving the statement from Jenny’s mom. Blogger was down and was not able to post until today.)
Marriottsville, Maryland
Jennifer Michelle Olenick died April 6, 2010. Jenny went into a coma on March 28, 2011 during a wisdom tooth extraction being performed by Dr. Domenick Coletti.
When the dental community is averaging killing one child a month, it’s not a freak accident!
Answers sought in dental surgery death of Howard County teen
By Kellie Woodhouse kwoodhouse@patuxent.com
The state Medical Examiner’s Office is investigating the death of a 17-year-old Marriotts Ridge High School junior, who died last week after complications arose during routine wisdom tooth surgery.
Jennifer “Jenny” Michelle Olenick, of Woodstock, an aspiring professional singer, went to a Columbia oral surgeon on March 28 for a tooth extraction procedure and went into cardiac arrest during surgery, her mother said.
She was taken by ambulance to Howard County General Hospital and then flown to Johns Hopkins Hospital, in Baltimore, where she died 10 days later, on April 6.
Cathy Garger, Olenick’s mother, said her daughter’s sudden death was baffling.
“Her heart tests at Hopkins showed normal functioning of her heart. She was in the best of health,” said Garger, who accompanied her daughter to the surgery with Olenick’s father, John Olenick.
Dr. Domenick Coletti, the Columbia-based oral surgeon who performed the operation with the assistance of an anesthesiologist, said he was “deeply saddened” by Olenick’s death.
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Another Child Dies At The Hands Of An 80 Year Old Dentist – 13 Year Old Marissa Kingery
Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s another very sad day here at Dentist The Menace. Another child has lost her life due to an incident involving dental treatment at a dentist office.
On January 3, 2011, Marissa Kingery, the only child of Amber McEwen and Jason Kingery was pronounced dead after two weeks in an unresponsive state at a hospital in Cleveland, Ohio.
Marissa started December 21, 2010 anxious and nervous about the dental procedure according to her mother.
No doubt Marissa was on her Christmas break from school and excited because every child’s favorite holiday was just a few days away. With presents already purchased and some under the Christmas tree Marissa Kingery was headed to the dentist. In the end, there would be no Christmas for Marissa and no happy holiday for her parents.
That fateful morning, as any mother would, Marissa’s mother reassured her daughter and told her not to worry, “it will be OK.” It wasn’t ok.
Marissa’s father drove her to the appointment with 80 year old,Dr. Henry B. Mazorow. Her appointment that day was to remove two baby teeth and one impacted permanent tooth. It is not yet clear if sedation was really necessary.
Something went terribly wrong under 80 year old, Dr. Henry B. Mazorow’s care. An ambulance was called and she was rushed to the local hospital and later transferred to Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, where she was unresponsive and placed on life support...
On January 3, 2011, Marissa Kingery, the only child of Amber McEwen and Jason Kingery was pronounced dead after two weeks in an unresponsive state at a hospital in Cleveland, Ohio.
Marissa started December 21, 2010 anxious and nervous about the dental procedure according to her mother.
No doubt Marissa was on her Christmas break from school and excited because every child’s favorite holiday was just a few days away. With presents already purchased and some under the Christmas tree Marissa Kingery was headed to the dentist. In the end, there would be no Christmas for Marissa and no happy holiday for her parents.
That fateful morning, as any mother would, Marissa’s mother reassured her daughter and told her not to worry, “it will be OK.” It wasn’t ok.
Marissa’s father drove her to the appointment with 80 year old,Dr. Henry B. Mazorow. Her appointment that day was to remove two baby teeth and one impacted permanent tooth. It is not yet clear if sedation was really necessary.
Something went terribly wrong under 80 year old, Dr. Henry B. Mazorow’s care. An ambulance was called and she was rushed to the local hospital and later transferred to Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, where she was unresponsive and placed on life support...
Saturday, August 21, 2010
4 Year Old Tulsa Child Dead After Sedation At Pediatric Dental Group, Tulsa, Oklahoma – Charles Keithline, DDS! 4 Dead Children In 4 Months!
Is anyone paying attention to this issue.
I'm thinking no.
I hope someone takes this up and does NOT leave it to the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry, they let citizens down every day! Dental Boards fall far short on protecting the citizens of Oklahoma, but it's not just Oklahoma!
Dr. Charles Russell Keithline III's dental licenses ( # 3942) shows he has been disciplined before! Why is that not in the report? Call the Board of Dentistry (405) 524-9037 for more information.
Here is what I found:
Dr. Charles Russell Keithline III's dental licenses ( # 3942) shows he has been disciplined before! Why is that not in the report? Call the Board of Dentistry (405) 524-9037 for more information.
Here is what I found:
Dr. Charles Keithline # 3942
Charges: practiced dentistry in an incompetent and/or negligent manner.
Action: 6 month suspension and 5 yrs. probation.
Charges: practiced dentistry in an incompetent and/or negligent manner.
Action: 6 month suspension and 5 yrs. probation.
(I'm told it was due to drug addiction, but can not verify)
This death happened on August 14, 2010. The earliest reports I can find are from yesterday, August 20, 2010, and only from one source. Why?
***********
Tulsa, OK
By KIM ARCHER World Staff Writer
Published: 8/20/2010 11:00 PM
Last Modified: 8/20/2010 11:00 PM
The Tulsa Police Department and the Oklahoma Dentistry Board are investigating the death of a 4-year-old girl who had been put under sedation for a dental procedure at a Tulsa pediatric dental clinic.
Akasmse Rose Tecumseh of Morris died Aug. 14 after leaving Pediatric Dental Group, 602 S. Utica Ave.
“I can tell you we are working constantly on this,” said Linda Campbell, executive director of the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry. “We are working on the timeline.”
She said investigators have been at the clinic going through records this week to find out how long the sedative was administered and whether proper protocol was followed.
Campbell said the Tulsa Police Department is working with the board’s investigators on the case.
“Certainly one death is too many, but we are looking at this to ensure there is clear and convincing evidence” regarding any potential wrongdoing, she said.
The primary dentist at the clinic is listed on the group’s website as Dr. Charles Keithline, a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and a diplomate of the board.
Keithline’s attorney, Keith Sweet of Oklahoma City, said the dentist could not comment about the patient, citing patient privacy laws. Campbell said an associate of Keithline’s performed the procedure.
Only seven people in Oklahoma are known to have died after being sedated at a dentist’s office, she said. Many were ruled natural deaths after investigations because the patients were found to have had pre-existing medical conditions, such as heart disease or asthma.
Before Akasmse’s death, the last death linked to sedation at a dental office was that of a 6-year-old boy in Muskogee six years ago, Campbell said.
In that case, the investigation found that a pharmacy erred by providing the patient a lethal dose of methadone instead of the prescribed sedative, she said. The dentist was exonerated.
According to the American Dental Association, the use of sedation and general anesthesia has been an integral part of dental practice since the 1840s.
If properly administered by trained personnel, sedation and general anesthesia are safe and effective, allowing millions of people access to comprehensive dental care who otherwise would not get it, the ADA says.
The ADA sets guidelines for the industry regarding the use of sedation and offers continuing education on proper monitoring and airway management during the use of general anesthesia.
Officials with the Oklahoma Dental Association would not comment.
Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=17&articleid=20100820_11_0_TheTul956938
The child was having some restorations done and crowns put on her deciduous teeth, according to Linda Campbell, executive director of the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry.
**********
Update Sept. 2, 2010
One story coming from the community is that Dr. Charles Keithline is charging the child's stepmother with causing the death of this child. He is saying she left his office and drove the child around in a hot car for three house. Of course Dr. Charles Keithline isn't planning on taking any responsibility.
Just because a child has an underlying medical condition does NOT mean the child died of "Natural Causes" and the dentist is off the hook.
It's clear this is what has happened as the article mentions the number of deaths in Oklahoma and all were ruled "natural deaths" because of other health issues. How in the hell does this let the dentist off the hook?
And screw the AAPD or ADA guidelines and comments. Remember they are the ones who sent out the "talking points" memo after deaths earlier this year to cover their (and their colleagues) asses!
I'm having big issues with this DOCS (Dental Organization For Conscious Sedation) Company, based in Seattle who delivering these "drive-thru" classes for dentists. They advertise and have testimonials from dentists who talk about how offering Conscious Sedation is another tool to increase their profits!
Related Articles:
Five Year Old David Liddell Death July 12, 2010
Deaths In Dental Chair On The Rise
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Deaths In Dental Chair On The Rise
This is to every dentist who continues to over treat, mistreat and abuse children in the name of a dollar and to meet production goals.
This is to every support staff who quietly sits back day by day and says nothing.
This is to every office manager, corporate fat head, and investment banker behind any and all corporate dental mills and medicaid dental facilities.
This is to each and every person along the chain from top to bottom. Patient coordinators, IT staff, recruiters, etc.
This is to every member of any state's dental board who are turning their heads, some even in collusion with the criminals who call themselves dentist. You are disgracing your chosen profession.
If you are paid directly or indirectly from these substandard dental facilities you are just as guilty of killing the next child as the dentist in the seat next to you, in my opinion.
Imagine the number of children sitting in waiting rooms right this second in all the dental mills such as Small Smiles, Kool Smiles, Smile Starters, Dream Dental and others. Which child will die or almost die today...what about tomorrow?
The next time you see or hear the word, underserved I want to to think about each one of these dead children who were killed by overserving the so called underserved.
Now, on with today's programming.
This is Dylan Shane Stewart, he was five years old. At least take the time to read his obituary, the next Dylan may be an obit of a child you had a hand in killing, whether it be directly or indirectly.
Those who knew and loved him called him "Dilli Man". He died April, 22, 2010 in the care of Dr. Ronnie Lynn Grundset a dentist in Gainesville, Florida.
Dilli Man was there to have four fillings and eight caps put on his teeth. Sounding eerily familiar to you. What about you, Dr. DeRose?
His parents stayed with him as he fell asleep. They took him from the room, and like each of you do many times a day, they reassured his parents, that Dilli Man would be ok. Dilli Man was NOT ok.
They stepped outside. Jennifer, his mom heard sirens. They kept getting closer to Dr. Grundset's office. That is when the instinct all mothers have kicked in and Dilli Man's mom knew something was very wrong.
Dilli Man's parent ran inside and watched the staff perform CPR. When the ambulance arrived, they took Dylan to Shands at the University of Florida, his dad rode in the ambulance with him. Close your eyes and imagine being Dylan's father.
Now, you females, who are to damn scared to step you and report these incompetent and careless dentists, take another minute and close your eyes. Imagine being Jennifer, Dilli Man's mom, following behind the ambulance as it raced to the hospital with your 5 years old child's life hanging by a thread. If you don't feel the unbelievable pain and panic in your gut, you should be ashamed, but most of all you should be scared. Tomorrow you will get up, put on those scrubs and walk in that dental clinic and each child you take back, may be the one you kill today.
About 45 minutes after arriving at the hospital, Dilli Man was dead. He was 5 and he was dead! Why?
Dr. John Rutkauskas, chief executive officer of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry said that among the possible causes of death of anyone who received a sedative was anaphylactic shock. "Anaphylaxis shock is the body's allergic reaction to a drug."
"Hundreds of thousands of sedatives are used in pediatric dentistry on an annual basis, and you almost never hear of a fatality." he said. This is the AAPD's talking points. More on that later in this article.
I'm sorry Dr. Rutkauskas, ALMOST is not good enough.
Dr. Rutkauskas should have been asked about the procedure Dylan was to receive that day. Wasn't it excessive, what about how necessary? Was it really a life or death matter? Did they put him to sleep and strap him in a papoose board and not be able to tell he was in distress? This happens a hell of a lot more than "almost never". This happens thousands of times a month and some dentists and assistants just get lucky.
(Dr. Grundset's dental license are marked "Clear/Active". Qualifications "Pediatric Conscious Sedation and there are no discipline actions or complaints listed in the online file)
Even though the autopsy report is not back, in my opinion Jacobi Hill was killed by Dr. Robert E. Primosch, in Richmond, Virginia just one month after Dylan. Look at this little boy. What a bright beautiful smile. How much dental work could this 6 year old little boy need? Blip.fm
The dental profession is killing our children and the state dental boards are doing little to stop this madness. It is just another example of "agency capture phenomena."
In a May 15, 2010 story at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Tammy Smith wrote: Dr. Indru Punwani said, "untreated decay causes pain and suffering and can lead to infection. Simply pulling the tooth is not always the best option." He mentions there could be speech problems if the two front teeth are missing as a child is learning to speak.
REALLY?! Exactly how many children have rotten front teeth at 18 months old?
On February 19, 2009 Cory Moore, Jr. age 9 was killed by dentist Dr. R. Andrew Powless. Dr. Powless did business under the name "Florida Special Care Dentistry". Powless sedated little Cory even though he and his staff were completely aware that Cory had eaten prior to the dental procedure. Cory coked to death on his own vomit. Cory's family have filed suit against Dr. Powless, but currently Dr. Robert Andrew Powless's license in Florida are marked "Clear and Active" for Conscious Sedation. Amazingly, (eyes rolling) when you check to see what discipline has been taken against Dr. Powless, it will result in nada. The online file will tell you discipline has been take but in order to view the details, you must write to the Division of Medical Quality Assurance in Tallahassee, Florida. There is also a link on his online license verification that links to actual complaints. These two must be requested. However, there are two case numbers listed, both in 1997. Add to this headache to check on Dr. Powless, Florida's professional licenses lookup/verification is hidden deep within the website. Clearly they don't make it easy to check.
Children are vomiting daily in these dental mills. The employees simply flips the child over and suction. It's easier to flip the child while strapped to "The Board"!
Quoted from South Tampa News Tribune in connection to Cory Moore's death:
Well that would be because they are the AAPD talking points sent out in a recent memo. They call it "we have finalized a media holding statement" Dr. Houpt says these deaths are extremely rare, however he also said no one keeps records. So which is it. If he's doing this study, it shouldn't take him but a week or so, if he knows about "google". Supposedly this is a 25 year study and should be available soon. REALLY? C'mom 25 years! Sounds more like keeping it under wraps for 25 years to me!
The Academy does not keep such statistics because it is not required to and, given the litigation that frequently shrouds the cases, it is difficult to do, according to Academy spokesman Dr. Stephen Wilson in a scathing article in Health News Florida by Mary Jo Malone.
In the same article Mary reports Dr. Stephen Wilson says, "Such cases are handled by dentistry boards as individual disciplinary complaints, if substandard care was involved."
Are you kidding me??????????????!!!!!!!!!!!! There are statistics on how many people are struck by lightening each year, there are stats on how many birds live in any particular area, and no one is keeping track of how many innocent children die at the hands of a dentist! Honesty, this is just crazy. My guess is it's the "A Few Good Men Syndrome" as to why no one is tracking this. The profession can't handle the truth and they don't want the general public to know the truth.
This is what I've been saying about the inadequacy of those very boards. Board members are appointed and serve a short term of 2 years or so. At that point those same board members are back into private practice and could well find themselves on the carpet being judged and sentenced by someone who has an ax to grind. And taking a phrase from a reader, Turkey's don't usually vote for Thanksgiving. So the chances of rules and regulations to curtail this is not likely.
The memo from the AAPD has links to several deaths but leaves out many as well. As with Javier Villa, who was killed by Dr. Gabriella Pham in 1997. Javier was only 4 years old.
There is Jonathan Barrera who died from an overdose of anesthetic while strapped to a papoose board. He was killed by Dr. Mathew Nolen (deceased) and worked under the direction of Dr. Edward DeRose, Dr. Michael DeRose and Dr. William Mueller in one of the Small Smiles clinics in Phoenix. Jonathan was 4 years old! Jonathan is dead.
Maddoux Cordova was 22 months old when he was killed in December 2009 while having crowns on his teeth. Dr. Cynthia Banker was in charge of this one. I want each of you to look at his distraught mother's face. See the pain. Can't you feel her agony? I know I can.
Look at this sweet little boy. Maddox was on 22 months old!!! Less than 2 years old!!! How many teeth could he have had? Crowns? Really? That answer would be a big fat NO.
Every time these dental mills try and defend their outrageous behavior with all the stainless steal crowns and baby root canals, the very first thing they will tell you is about Deamonte Driver, a 12 year old homeless child. An infection started with an abscessed tooth and spread to his brain.
In fact, this case has been used by "Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) and Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) to put more children who lack insurance or who rely on state aid into a dentist's chair."
First, even families who have medical insurance, even some very good medical insurance may not have dental coverage! Even if you do, other than free cleanings it covers very little. If I took the cost of our dental insurance and put in the bank, I'd be money ahead.
But the most important thing I have to say on this is this:
"It is outrageous today that in America, a young boy can die because his family can find a dentist, Senator Cardin. Are you as concerned about all the deaths discussed here, which far out number one who died of an infection. Why are you not on the Senate floor wailing about this issue." And you can quote me on that!
These dental mills and other dental facilities use dentists who are substandard at best, the C- to D- students. The poor quality of dental care is killing children! Has anyone looked at how many of these deaths in just the past 18 months are children on medicaid? Most, if not all! Doesn't that say something! You are not helping them, you are killing them!
Some will argue the children must be treated aggressively, root canals, caps/crowns are the best way to achieve good dental health. I say your are full of it.
In March 2008 Jacqueline Martinez coked to death at New Smile Dental Office. Jacqueline was 7 years old. The child died from choking on a tooth that was dropped and became stuck in her throat. The dentist who killed Jacqueline was Dr. Thien Luong of Riverside, California.
October 2006 5 year old Diamond Brownridge was killed by Dr. Hicham Riba. She too was receiving crowns. She went to sleep and never woke up. Four days later she was dead. Another mother, another father suffering the worst thing a parent could ever experience. What happened to Dr. Hicham Riba? Dr. Riba was fined a measly $10,000. That was the maximum under Illinois state law. The state board of Professional Regulations suspended Dr. Riba's licenses to sedate patients but only suspended his dental licenses for 18 months. Originally the Illinois Board of Dentistry only recommended his general dentistry license be suspended for 6 months!!!!!!
October 12, 2006 was when baby Jessenia Valles was killed at the dentist office. Jessenia was two years old. She was killed by an overdose of Mepivicaine at Good Sheperd Dental Clinic in Houston by Dr. Robert Choy. The name of the clinic sounds so "Biblical" and safe doesn't it.
Jessenia was alone when she died. Her mother wasn't allowed into the exam room with her baby daughter. Alone in the waiting room, her mother heard her precious daughter crying. The other staff reassured Jessenia's mom everything was ok, as they always do. But again, everything wasn't ok.
Dr. Robert Kim Choy was supposed to repair cracks in her teeth, not kill her. After Dr. Choy did his repair they left little Jessenia alone in a room to recover, not letting her mother back there. The child was in there, alone for nearly an hour. The comforting nurse told little Jessenia's mom, she (Jessenia) needed time to recover.
As the mother waited patiently in the waiting area, Jessenia died, alone. SHE WAS TWO YEARS OLD!
Dr. Choy had been warned by the State Board of Dental examiners in August 2004 that was not to keeping adequate records and the complaint was settled.
Links to the story:
Toddler Dies After Trip To Dentist
Child's Death At Dentist Ruled Accidental by Overdose
Heart wrenching video report
(Dr. Robert Kim Choy has surrendered his Texas dental licenses in 2009)
This is to every support staff who quietly sits back day by day and says nothing.
This is to every office manager, corporate fat head, and investment banker behind any and all corporate dental mills and medicaid dental facilities.
This is to each and every person along the chain from top to bottom. Patient coordinators, IT staff, recruiters, etc.
This is to every member of any state's dental board who are turning their heads, some even in collusion with the criminals who call themselves dentist. You are disgracing your chosen profession.
If you are paid directly or indirectly from these substandard dental facilities you are just as guilty of killing the next child as the dentist in the seat next to you, in my opinion.
Imagine the number of children sitting in waiting rooms right this second in all the dental mills such as Small Smiles, Kool Smiles, Smile Starters, Dream Dental and others. Which child will die or almost die today...what about tomorrow?
The next time you see or hear the word, underserved I want to to think about each one of these dead children who were killed by overserving the so called underserved.
Now, on with today's programming.
Those who knew and loved him called him "Dilli Man". He died April, 22, 2010 in the care of Dr. Ronnie Lynn Grundset a dentist in Gainesville, Florida.
Dilli Man was there to have four fillings and eight caps put on his teeth. Sounding eerily familiar to you. What about you, Dr. DeRose?
His parents stayed with him as he fell asleep. They took him from the room, and like each of you do many times a day, they reassured his parents, that Dilli Man would be ok. Dilli Man was NOT ok.
They stepped outside. Jennifer, his mom heard sirens. They kept getting closer to Dr. Grundset's office. That is when the instinct all mothers have kicked in and Dilli Man's mom knew something was very wrong.
Dilli Man's parent ran inside and watched the staff perform CPR. When the ambulance arrived, they took Dylan to Shands at the University of Florida, his dad rode in the ambulance with him. Close your eyes and imagine being Dylan's father.
Now, you females, who are to damn scared to step you and report these incompetent and careless dentists, take another minute and close your eyes. Imagine being Jennifer, Dilli Man's mom, following behind the ambulance as it raced to the hospital with your 5 years old child's life hanging by a thread. If you don't feel the unbelievable pain and panic in your gut, you should be ashamed, but most of all you should be scared. Tomorrow you will get up, put on those scrubs and walk in that dental clinic and each child you take back, may be the one you kill today.
About 45 minutes after arriving at the hospital, Dilli Man was dead. He was 5 and he was dead! Why?
Dr. John Rutkauskas, chief executive officer of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry said that among the possible causes of death of anyone who received a sedative was anaphylactic shock. "Anaphylaxis shock is the body's allergic reaction to a drug."
"Hundreds of thousands of sedatives are used in pediatric dentistry on an annual basis, and you almost never hear of a fatality." he said. This is the AAPD's talking points. More on that later in this article.
I'm sorry Dr. Rutkauskas, ALMOST is not good enough.
Dr. Rutkauskas should have been asked about the procedure Dylan was to receive that day. Wasn't it excessive, what about how necessary? Was it really a life or death matter? Did they put him to sleep and strap him in a papoose board and not be able to tell he was in distress? This happens a hell of a lot more than "almost never". This happens thousands of times a month and some dentists and assistants just get lucky.
(Dr. Grundset's dental license are marked "Clear/Active". Qualifications "Pediatric Conscious Sedation and there are no discipline actions or complaints listed in the online file)
The dental profession is killing our children and the state dental boards are doing little to stop this madness. It is just another example of "agency capture phenomena."
"It's used thousands of times every day," dentist Indru Punwani, a spokesman for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and head of the pediatric dentistry department at the University of Illinois at Chicago, told the Times-Dispatch.
Please note the response by the AAPD spokesman.
Dr. Robert Campbell, a pediatric oral surgeon at Virginia Dental and Anesthesia Associates, told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that the most common cause of death in dental offices under anesthesia is related to an airway condition.
According to Campbell, "the most common problem is that the vocal cords go into a spasm and shut down," in the upper airway. He states this upper airway problem could possibly be related to an allergic reaction. The next most common issue would involve the lower airway, in an asthma-like attack. This is referred to as a laryngospasm.
According to Campbell, "the most common problem is that the vocal cords go into a spasm and shut down," in the upper airway. He states this upper airway problem could possibly be related to an allergic reaction. The next most common issue would involve the lower airway, in an asthma-like attack. This is referred to as a laryngospasm.
In a May 15, 2010 story at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Tammy Smith wrote: Dr. Indru Punwani said, "untreated decay causes pain and suffering and can lead to infection. Simply pulling the tooth is not always the best option." He mentions there could be speech problems if the two front teeth are missing as a child is learning to speak.
REALLY?! Exactly how many children have rotten front teeth at 18 months old?
On February 19, 2009 Cory Moore, Jr. age 9 was killed by dentist Dr. R. Andrew Powless. Dr. Powless did business under the name "Florida Special Care Dentistry". Powless sedated little Cory even though he and his staff were completely aware that Cory had eaten prior to the dental procedure. Cory coked to death on his own vomit. Cory's family have filed suit against Dr. Powless, but currently Dr. Robert Andrew Powless's license in Florida are marked "Clear and Active" for Conscious Sedation. Amazingly, (eyes rolling) when you check to see what discipline has been taken against Dr. Powless, it will result in nada. The online file will tell you discipline has been take but in order to view the details, you must write to the Division of Medical Quality Assurance in Tallahassee, Florida. There is also a link on his online license verification that links to actual complaints. These two must be requested. However, there are two case numbers listed, both in 1997. Add to this headache to check on Dr. Powless, Florida's professional licenses lookup/verification is hidden deep within the website. Clearly they don't make it easy to check.
Children are vomiting daily in these dental mills. The employees simply flips the child over and suction. It's easier to flip the child while strapped to "The Board"!
Quoted from South Tampa News Tribune in connection to Cory Moore's death:
"It's a rare event, but when it occurs it's a tragic event and we certainly don't want it to Inoccur," said Dr. Milton Houpt, chairman of pediatric dentistry at the New Jersey Dental School, who says he has been studying the issue.I have serious doubt in some of Houpt's statements. Didn't that last sentence sound familiar? Almost word for word from Dr. John Rutkauskas'.
Dr. Houpt said there are no national statistics on the number of children who die while being sedated in dental offices. The available information is anecdotal, said Houpt, who is conducting a survey with a colleague that includes questions about whether dentists have experienced deaths in their offices.
"In a sample of 2,000 practitioners, you may have one or two" deaths, Houpt said. But that estimate also is anecdotal.
"There has, over the years, been increasing attention to this issue in order to make sedation as safe as possible," he said. "That attention led to the development of guidelines and the review of those guidelines on an ongoing basis.
"I think it's important to recognize there are literally hundreds of thousands of sedations each year and they're almost always performed in a safe fashion," Houpt said.
Well that would be because they are the AAPD talking points sent out in a recent memo. They call it "we have finalized a media holding statement" Dr. Houpt says these deaths are extremely rare, however he also said no one keeps records. So which is it. If he's doing this study, it shouldn't take him but a week or so, if he knows about "google". Supposedly this is a 25 year study and should be available soon. REALLY? C'mom 25 years! Sounds more like keeping it under wraps for 25 years to me!
The Academy does not keep such statistics because it is not required to and, given the litigation that frequently shrouds the cases, it is difficult to do, according to Academy spokesman Dr. Stephen Wilson in a scathing article in Health News Florida by Mary Jo Malone.
In the same article Mary reports Dr. Stephen Wilson says, "Such cases are handled by dentistry boards as individual disciplinary complaints, if substandard care was involved."
Are you kidding me??????????????!!!!!!!!!!!! There are statistics on how many people are struck by lightening each year, there are stats on how many birds live in any particular area, and no one is keeping track of how many innocent children die at the hands of a dentist! Honesty, this is just crazy. My guess is it's the "A Few Good Men Syndrome" as to why no one is tracking this. The profession can't handle the truth and they don't want the general public to know the truth.
This is what I've been saying about the inadequacy of those very boards. Board members are appointed and serve a short term of 2 years or so. At that point those same board members are back into private practice and could well find themselves on the carpet being judged and sentenced by someone who has an ax to grind. And taking a phrase from a reader, Turkey's don't usually vote for Thanksgiving. So the chances of rules and regulations to curtail this is not likely.
A 22-page statement released by the court tells of what happened in the clinic through the eyes of the two dentists and two unlicensed assistants who cared for Javier. Dental assistant Claudia Briseno told investigators that dentist Dr. Gabriella Pham had filled three of Javier's cavities and worked on a fourth when they noticed mucus coming from the boy's nose. While (dental assistant) Alejandra Juarez was wiping the nose, she noticed that the chest was not rising. ... Alejandra put the mouth mirror up to his nose and it did not fog up. She checked for a pulse and could not locate one.
Dasia Washington, was 10. She lived in Pompano Beach. She was killed in 2006 by Dr. Edward R. Walters and Dr. Abbe Silverberg-Aroshas. The state records show she was given nitrous oxide, lidocaine and epinephrine and strapped to a papoose board. She too was suffocated to death in a dentist chair. When interviewed, Walters said, “I walked away from about a $3 million practice and closed it." He gave up his license, he said, because “I couldn’t deal with it anymore.”
Well, bless his poor heart! He sounds much like the British Petroleum guy who just wants to get back to his life.
In Boca Raton a 10 year old died in 2006 from aspiration complications at a dentist office.
In Boca Raton a 10 year old died in 2006 from aspiration complications at a dentist office.
There is Jonathan Barrera who died from an overdose of anesthetic while strapped to a papoose board. He was killed by Dr. Mathew Nolen (deceased) and worked under the direction of Dr. Edward DeRose, Dr. Michael DeRose and Dr. William Mueller in one of the Small Smiles clinics in Phoenix. Jonathan was 4 years old! Jonathan is dead.
Every time these dental mills try and defend their outrageous behavior with all the stainless steal crowns and baby root canals, the very first thing they will tell you is about Deamonte Driver, a 12 year old homeless child. An infection started with an abscessed tooth and spread to his brain.
In fact, this case has been used by "Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) and Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) to put more children who lack insurance or who rely on state aid into a dentist's chair."
"It is outrageous today that in America, a young boy can die because his family can't find a dentist to remove an infected tooth," Cardin said on the Senate floor Thursday. "Anytime we lose a child, it is a tragedy. But Deamonte Driver's death is particularly devastating because it was easily preventable."
First, even families who have medical insurance, even some very good medical insurance may not have dental coverage! Even if you do, other than free cleanings it covers very little. If I took the cost of our dental insurance and put in the bank, I'd be money ahead.
But the most important thing I have to say on this is this:
"It is outrageous today that in America, a young boy can die because his family can find a dentist, Senator Cardin. Are you as concerned about all the deaths discussed here, which far out number one who died of an infection. Why are you not on the Senate floor wailing about this issue." And you can quote me on that!
These dental mills and other dental facilities use dentists who are substandard at best, the C- to D- students. The poor quality of dental care is killing children! Has anyone looked at how many of these deaths in just the past 18 months are children on medicaid? Most, if not all! Doesn't that say something! You are not helping them, you are killing them!
Some will argue the children must be treated aggressively, root canals, caps/crowns are the best way to achieve good dental health. I say your are full of it.
In March 2008 Jacqueline Martinez coked to death at New Smile Dental Office. Jacqueline was 7 years old. The child died from choking on a tooth that was dropped and became stuck in her throat. The dentist who killed Jacqueline was Dr. Thien Luong of Riverside, California.
Riba intravenously gave Diamond diazepam or Valium twice -- a 1.3-milliliter dose followed up with a 1.2-milliliter dose -- within a five-minute period, the complaint said. He also gave her "7.5 milligram of an oral Valium, nitrous oxide-oxygen 3:3; .25 milliliter of IV atropine; .25 milliliter IV Talwin; 1.3 milliliter Midazolam and 2 carpules of 2 percent lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine" within a 90-minute time frame, the complaint said.
Dr. Riba's insurance company settled with Diamond's parents for $1millon.
(Currently, Dr. Riba is still holds a dental licenses in Illinois. He is on probation until September 30, 2012.)
(Currently, Dr. Riba is still holds a dental licenses in Illinois. He is on probation until September 30, 2012.)
October 12, 2006 was when baby Jessenia Valles was killed at the dentist office. Jessenia was two years old. She was killed by an overdose of Mepivicaine at Good Sheperd Dental Clinic in Houston by Dr. Robert Choy. The name of the clinic sounds so "Biblical" and safe doesn't it.
Jessenia was alone when she died. Her mother wasn't allowed into the exam room with her baby daughter. Alone in the waiting room, her mother heard her precious daughter crying. The other staff reassured Jessenia's mom everything was ok, as they always do. But again, everything wasn't ok.
Dr. Robert Kim Choy was supposed to repair cracks in her teeth, not kill her. After Dr. Choy did his repair they left little Jessenia alone in a room to recover, not letting her mother back there. The child was in there, alone for nearly an hour. The comforting nurse told little Jessenia's mom, she (Jessenia) needed time to recover.
As the mother waited patiently in the waiting area, Jessenia died, alone. SHE WAS TWO YEARS OLD!
Dr. Choy had been warned by the State Board of Dental examiners in August 2004 that was not to keeping adequate records and the complaint was settled.
Links to the story:
Toddler Dies After Trip To Dentist
Child's Death At Dentist Ruled Accidental by Overdose
Heart wrenching video report
(Dr. Robert Kim Choy has surrendered his Texas dental licenses in 2009)
Finally, when was the last time your office had a mock drill to prepare for the above emergencies. Illinois is the first and only state so far to pass a law requiring dental facilities to have an emergency plan.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
15 year old dies from Fentanyl Patch Prescribed by Dentist
Seattle Washington
September 29, 2009
Michael Blankenship, 15, died March 9, 2009 from over dose of Ketamine and Fentanyl from a pain patch prescribed by his dentist. Seattle Children's, and Barbara Sheller, DDS were named in lawsuit.
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
Dentist Allegedly Caused a Child's Death
October 27, 2004
WTAP News
Denise Alex
The Ohio State Dental Board has ruled that the actions of a Belpre dentist who administered a lethal dose of local anesthetic to a two-year-old West Virginia boy constituted malpractice.
Doctor James E. Kirkpatrick injected what experts testified was three times the manufacturer's maximum recommended dose of Prilocaine into Hunter Owens.
The boy died less than 90 minutes later on October 27th, 2004 at Camden Clark Memorial Hospital in Parkersburg. Kirkpatrick was attempting to extract eleven rotted teeth from the boy.
The board Wednesday ordered Kirkpatrick's practice closed after ruling that his intentional decision to push the limit of the anesthetic was egregious malpractice.
Kirkpatrick's lawyer says he will appeal the ruling in Washington County, Ohio, where Kirkpatrick lives.
WTAP called Kirkpatrick's office Thursday and a recored message says his office will be closed until Monday, November 7th, 2004
Friday, September 28, 2001
Daniel Huynh death
September 28, 2001
A final settlement was reached Thursday in the wrongful death lawsuit a couple filed against a dentist after their 3-year-old son died after being given anesthesia at a Houston dental clinic.
Kenny Huynh and Tracy Phan of Houston, parents of Daniel Huynh, contend their son was given a dangerous sedative cocktail that proved fatal, given his size.
An autopsy showed Daniel died from the drugs' toxic effect. The toddler was given a drink containing Demerol, Phenergan and chloral hydrate when he went in for a root canal and fillings.
"They gave (Daniel) three drugs that an cause problems with breathing, two of which they gave him in excessive amounts" said lawyer Steve P. McCarthy today.
McCarthy, who represented Daniel's parents, said court records also show that the clinic staff failed to monitor the toddler's condition after he was sedated.
When the staff finally noticed the child was in distress, they did not have the equipment on hand to attempt to revive him as required by state law, the lawyer said.
One piece of equipment, a type of stethoscope, was in Tran Nguyen's car trunk, McCarthy added.
The settlement agreement prevents the parties involved from discussing the damages paid by Nguyen. On average, dentist's malpractice insurance pay out between $200,000 to $1 million per occurrence, according to dental malpractice experts.
Daniel's parents say they sued the dentist to bring attention to the issue of wrongful death caused during dental procedures, not money.
Huynh said he and his wife just want more parents to be aware that there are dangers associated with the type of sedation, known as conscious sedation, that took their son's life.
"We had never heard about this until it happened to us," he said. "We want the story to (get) out to the whole country ... so that our son's death means something."
Huynh described his son as a healthy child with a playful nature and a sharp mind who loved going on family trips to places like Hawaii, Lake Travis and the zoo.
Phan, who is expecting a child, said that her son is never far from her mind. She spent the anniversary of his death at a temple to be closer to him.
The couple cautioned parents to ask more pointed questions about the potential dangers associated with the drugs given children during dental and medical procedures, and to find out what will be done in the event of an emergency.
"Don't let this happen to your child," Phan said.