The panic of going to the dentist is a relatively common fear for many Houston residents. Although most of the time these fears are unfounded, a story has emerged this week of a dentist who is facing horrific allegations. The failure to follow acceptable standards has resulted in the dentist facing dozens of medical malpractice lawsuits.
A dentist in another state is being accused of running a horrendous dental practice geared toward children and is being labeled the world’s worst dentist. Allegations have emerged of the dentist unnecessarily pulling teeth and not using anesthesia during dental procedures. One mother brought her 2-year-old son in when he fell off his bike and cracked his two front teeth. When he came out he was missing four teeth. The mother said the dentist never consulted her about removing all the teeth.
When he returned for a follow-up appointment, he came out of the office with bruises around his neck and gauze on his lower teeth, even though he had come in for work on his upper teeth. The mom brought him to a pediatrician who said there was a scalpel mark from ear to ear on the boy’s gum. Dozens of patients are suing the dentist with similar complaints about their innocent children receiving negligent care. The Florida Department of Health is working on shutting the practice down.
When a child suffers from a negligent medical provider they can be traumatized and face unexpected medical conditions. Medical providers have a duty to provide compassionate and skilled care for their patients. When they fail to provide acceptable care they can be held liable.
Families who believe their children have suffered from inadequate medical care may want to speak with a legal professional skilled in medical malpractice. An attorney can review the medical records and determine what happened to cause the unexpected injury. Compensation may be available for unexpected medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Dentists are necessary members of the medical community. Most dentists are good providers and children’s dentists do a wonderful job of caring for their young patients. But when a dentist is found to have injured a patient through negligence, they should be held liable for the patient’s damages.
Source: MyFox28Columbus.com, “Dentist ran ‘House of Horrors,’ mistreated children,” Csaba Sukosd, May 22, 2015
