Dentist's license suspended after patient dies

[Hum]

ENFIELD, Conn. ?  The state has suspended the license of an Enfield dentist after the death of a patient who was having 20 teeth extracted.

The Journal Inquirer reports that Dr. Rashmi Patel faces a June 18 hearing before the Connecticut State Dental Commission.

The state alleges Patel's actions led to the death of patient Judith Gan. The 64-year-old was having extractions and implants performed on Feb. 17 when she became unresponsive. She was transported to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield where she was pronounced dead.

Michael Kogut, Patel's attorney, says there is no medical information indicating that Patel's actions resulted in Gan's death.

Among other things, the state alleges Patel failed to respond appropriately when the woman's oxygen levels dropped, and improperly attempted to extract the teeth in a single visit.

 

source

[User6060]

you can't just remove 20 at once. thats major surgery 

[Rohdekill]

you can't just remove 20 at once. thats major surgery 

 

Yes you can.  It happens all the time at licensed, reputable dentists everywhere.

For this particular patient, based on age and whatever existing health condition, it may be not have been advised.  But it is definitely not out of the norm. 

[TAZMINATOR]

Yes you can.  It happens all the time at licensed, reputable dentists everywhere.

For this particular patient, based on age and whatever existing health condition, it may be not have been advised.  But it is definitely not out of the norm. 

 

This is correct.

 

You can have all teeth removed as long as you are in a good health.

 

If you have health problem such as seizure, blood pressure, etc.  You can have a few teeth (maybe 2 teeth) a time.  They check your health stats before they start so they make sure.

 

If they find something wrong in your health, they rather wait until your stats is back to normal then they start extract all or some.

[123456789A]

Why would they need to take out 20 teeth? That's a lot of teeth.

[TAZMINATOR]

Why would they need to take out 20 teeth? That's a lot of teeth.

 

Could be infection.

[kjordan2001]

Why would they need to take out 20 teeth? That's a lot of teeth.

 

Could be infection.

Or if the person grinds their teeth at night they can get down to the nerves.

[spacer]

Obviously the dentist needs to be investigated to make sure he's on the level. But I also think there is a good chance the patient's death isn't entirely his fault. The patient was 64 years old and probably heavily medicated. Even with local anesthetics, there are risks of negative reactions. And that risk only goes up the older you are or the more unhealthy you are.

 

If it turns out that the dentist did he due diligence, I would just chalk it up as an unfortunate situation. It's sad for the family either way, but it may not be dentist's fault.

[123456789A]

Or if the person grinds their teeth at night they can get down to the nerves.

 

Ouch. That's crazy.

[Hum]

I'm glad I am not a doctor who must perform operations.