Update March 21, 2011: Re: Dr. Derek Mason and David Liddell's death
I received the following paragraph from a reader:
David went to the dentist to receive his dental treatment. He was accompanied by his older sister and his mother. David's family was not allowed to go to the back with David for his treatment. David was happy and healthy when he arrived. David was in the back for only ten short minutes before something went wrong with his procedure. He was not in the back long enough to finish his dental work, the dentist was just getting started. David's mother was called to the back when things went wrong where he laid not moving strapped down with vomit on his clothes, no seizure was apparent the child was not conscious and strapped down. No one was doing CPR or anything. Dr. (Derek) Mason assured the family that David was okay and he was dead. There's nothing natural about a five year old child dying under the care of a dental physician. Dr. (Derek) Mason stated that the ambulance came to late. To late for what? What happened while David was under his care? David Liddell had a chromosomal deletion which caused him to be physically and mentally delayed other that he was very healthy at the time of his visit to the dentist.
August 19, 2010 7:26PM
Five year old David Liddell stopped breathing while at Children's Dentistry of Camp Creek in Atlanta on July 12, 2010. David was rushed by ambulance to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Children's Dentistry is owned by Derek Mason, DDS. It is reported little David had a seizure after the dental treatment was completed, but before they left the office. I am afraid since this sweet child had an underlying medical issue, a closer look into his death will not take place. I hope I am wrong.
Dr. Derek Mason is not registered as a Pediatric Dentist at the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
Visiting his clinic's website there are various pictures confirming the clinic is a "volume" based, with as many as 5 hygiene stations.
Under the "Meet The Doctors" section it appears that Dr. Mason is the only dentist as it lists no others. Here is what the site has to say about Dr. Mason:
Dr. Derek Mason, DDS
Prior to attending dental school, Dr. Derek Mason attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA. After attending Morehouse College of Atlanta, Dr. Derek Mason went to Meharry Medical College, School of Dentistry in Nashville, TN. Dr. Derek Mason spent four years as required to graduate with the title of Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS). Dr. Derek Mason went on to complete his residency at Kings County Hospital Dental Clinic and Maimonides Medical Center, both of Brooklyn, NY. This training enabled his continued growth and development, pediatric dentistry, hospital dentistry, treatment of traumatic injuries, treating patients with special needs, and specialized areas unique to younger children and adolescents.
Children's Dentistry of Camp Creek: A Galaxy of Smiles
Derek D. Mason, DDS & Associates - Pediatric Dentist
Ph: 404-349-7900 Fax: 404-349-7899 3890 Redwine Rd. Suite 206 Atlanta, GA 30331
The Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry offers graduate programs for General Dentistry and Oral Maxilliofacial Surgery. (DMD and DDS). However Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn has a 2 year residency program where they have 4 new openings each year.
The only other reports that can be found is from the AP and it is very short and sweet.
ATLANTA (AP) - The Fulton County medical examiner’s office says it’s investigating the death of a 5-year-old boy who died after going to the dentist.
The medical examiner’s office identified the boy as David Liddell of Atlanta and says he died Friday.
Atlanta police say the dental work was completed when the boy had a seizure. They say he was taken to Children’s Hospital of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding, where he died later that day.
The medical examiner’s office says the death appears to be from natural causes, but investigators want to review medical records and lab test results before a ruling is issued.
Questions:
- No statement from the AAPD?
- How much local anesthesia was used?
- Was he or had he been sedated?
- Was is heart rate being monitored?
- Was he strapped in a papoose board?
- Was CPR performed?
- Did he vomit during treatment?
- Was his mother present during treatment?
- No further followup information available?
Little David Liddell makes death number 6 in two years.
