Dr. Jared's Reaction to Pre-Schooler's Death After Dental Treatment

The KiDDS Dental team was horrified to hear of the death of a three-year-old girl due to complications from dental treatment in the state of Hawaii. Dr. Evans felt compelled to make this statement:

I’ve been following very closely the case of Finley Boyle. Like so many other parents and dental professionals, I’ve listened to news reports and scoured the internet for information about the case. While I only know what has been reported by the media, I am appalled at some of the facts that have come to light. I’m also concerned with the reaction by the public to this tragic event.

First and foremost, I am concerned with the training of the dentist in question. A quick search at www.aapd.org confirms that she is not a certified pediatric dentist. Pediatric dentists, like myself, have devoted two additional years of residency beyond dental school to be a specialist.  The additional training includes experience in a children's hospital, mentoring by experienced pediatric dentists, and additional examinations. Nonetheless, this dentist could have followed the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s guidelines for conscious sedation. Had she, Finley Boyle would likely still be alive.

The community is outraged about this shocking death. I echo many of the comments shared through social media: “My heart goes out to this family,” and “This is horrible.” Unfortunately, there are many other remarks that are circulating. Let me address some of them:

• “Why does a three year old need all that work? Must be a greedy dentist. I’ve never heard of a root canal on a baby tooth.” 
  Unfortunately, dental decay is the most common chronic disease of childhood in the United States.  Over half of our children have undergone dental treatment by the time they reach the second grade.  Decay rates are on the rise nationally and this is an epidemic that is preventable.  Good hygiene and good nutrition are critical.  

         

• “It’s just a baby tooth. Her teeth would have come out on their own in just a few years. The dentist should have just pulled it out.”
  Primary teeth are important and they serve important roles.  Primary molars don't normally come out until the ages of 10-12 (on average).  Primary teeth guide the erupting permanent teeth into the right place.  Without them and without the right interventions, orthodontic problems are worsened.  Appearance, speech, nutrition, health and well-being can all be affected. None of us want a child to suffer if it can be helped.  

Please do not let this tragedy, caused by an inadequately trained dentist with unsafe treatment protocols, scare you and your family from seeking dental care. Avoiding the dentist is even more dangerous. Just a few years ago a child in the United States died from an abscessed tooth. He didn’t have access to a dentist. When a tooth has dental caries (or also called a cavity), it has an infection.  No physician would neglect an infection in the body; the mouth is no different.  The mouth is the nutritional gateway for the whole body. Without a healthy mouth, a body is not healthy either. When a tooth is abscessed, the problem isn’t only the pain. The infection can drain through the various layers and muscles of the head and neck, which can lead to a blocked airway, sepsis and shock.    

So, how do parents move forward after this horrific event?  First, be sure your child sees a pediatric dentist at the first sign of a tooth or by the age of one.  This is a very critical time to be educated about oral health and to start a prevention program.  All 20 primary teeth are generally erupted by the age of three. If you have taken your child to see the pediatric dentist every six months from age one through three, then you have set the stage for him to have a lifetime of pleasant dental visits. If a doctor's treatment recommendations are confusing or overwhelming, get all your questions answered before the treatment starts. If that requires getting a second opinion, do it to ensure you know everything that is going to happen. Discuss all the pros and cons. Get all the information to make the right decision for your child.