An oral surgeon in North Carolina was forced to give up his license in August 2021. The reason was due to an order signed by the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners that was the result of an investigation of a patient the oral surgeon had treated for dental implants who died as a result of the treatment. The patient that died was a 53 year old cardiologist in North Carolina. The oral surgeon had had his license for roughly 20 years when he had to give it up.
On July 30, 2020, the oral surgeon administered anesthesia and sedatives to the cardiolgist for dental implant placement. Close to the end of the surgery, the cardiologist’s oxygen saturation and heart rate dropped to life threatening levels. The oral surgeon attempted ventilation, by trying to intubate the patient with an endotracheal tube but was unable to, and called 911. Dental records showed that the cardiologist’s oxygen saturation levels were between 60% and 70% for a period of at least 20 minutes prior to emergency responders arrived. Further records showed that his heart rate dropped to 39 beats per minute and then either no longer registered or was not recorded when emergency services arrived. Before the arrival of emergency services, the oral surgeon did not successfully place an advanced airway adjunct, use a cricothyroidotomy to create a surgical airway, do something to improve the cardiologists slow heart rate, nor give cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
When the emergency responders arrived, the cardiologist had no pulse, was not currently breathing, and had no heartbeat. Emergency responders placed an advanced airway and returned the man’s spontaneous circulation, and then drove to a hospital. The cardiologist was put in the intensive care unit and diagnosed with irreversible anoxic brain injury. He then died on August 3, 2020.
According to the State Board of Dental examiners, the oral surgeon violated the standard of care, the Dental Practice Act, the Board’s rules and regulations, and his actions resulted in the death of the cardiologist. Investigators also scruitinzed others areas of the oral surgeons practice. They found that the oral surgeon prescribed controlled substances, such as narcotic cough supressants and sedative hypnotic medications, to his dental practice. The oral surgeon also failed to keep adequate records for tracking controlled substances that were supposed to be located at his dental office. Further, the oral surgeon diverted controlled substances, including Fentanyl, for personal use and used them with another employee at his office during 2019 and 2020. The Dental Board order states
“….[the oral surgeon] is a chronic or persistent user of intoxicants, drugs, or narcotics to the extent that the same impairs his ability to practice dentistry….[the oral surgeon] engaged in unprofessional conduct by prescribing, procuring, dispening, or administering any controlled substance for personal use…”
An oral surgeon losing a license permanently is the harshest offense. In the past other cases of oral surgeons losing their license for a period of time has been discussed on this site, see for example the post Oral Surgeons License Suspended for Five Years After Patients Contract Bacterial Infection of the Heart.
Sources:
- Before the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners in the Matter of Dr. Austin License Number 7348, https://www.ncdentalboard.org/PDF/Austin,%20Mark%20-%20Consent%20Order%20of%20Permanent%20Surrender%20%208-16-21.pdf, August 16, 2021.
- Ann McAdams, “Embattled oral surgeon Dr. …Austin permanently surrenders NC dental license,” WECT 6, August 16, 2021.