License of Washington Dentist Suspended After Patient Dies Post-Dental Care

In 2022, a Snohomish County, Washington dentist extracted several teeth from an 86-year-old patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The patient’s breathing stopped mid-procedure and emergency medical personnel were not called by the practice until 40 minutes after the first signs of distress were noted. The patient was rushed to the hospital where he later died. Following an investigation by the Dental Quality Assurance Commission, the dentist’s license has been suspended. The investigation found that the dentist did not administer the anesthesia appropriately, did not have sufficient medical records for this patient, and allowed a clinician with an expired license to assist during the procedure. Click here to read more.