(By Dr. Joseph D. Lim and Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI)
A WOMAN is suing her dentist after receiving four root canals, eight dental crowns and 20 fillings – all in one visit to the dental clinic.
In a lawsuit seeking at least $50,000 in damages, Kathleen Wilson claimed the procedures disfigured her facial features, the Associated Press reported.
Ms Wilson said the procedures were expensive and she suffered pain, embarrassment, disfigurement and distress, the news agency reported.
The lawsuit was filed in December of last year in Hennepin County Circuit Court against Dr. Kevin Molldrem of Molldrem Family Dentistry in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
According to Star Tribune newspaper, Dr. Moldrem was accused of providing negligent treatment in July 2020 that caused Ms. Wilson’s serious injuries, along with providing an unsafe dose of anesthesia and falsifying medical records to cover it up.
The Associated Press cited the newspaper’s report that Ms. Wilson’s legal team sought an expert opinion from Dr. Avrum Goldstein, a dentist in Florida who reviewed Ms. Wilson’s medical records.
Dr Goldstein said Mrs Wilson had decay “on almost every tooth in her mouth, which is quite rare”. He said Dr. Moldrem’s attempt to restore all of Ms. Wilson’s teeth in one visit did not help address her susceptibility to disease or the potential for tooth loss, the Associated Press reported.
“Katie needed a slow, thoughtful, careful and measured response to her illness. Trying to fill every hole in every tooth in her mouth in one visit is not only the opposite of what was indicated, but it is not humanly possible to accomplish in an efficient or constructive manner,” Dr. Goldstein was quoted as saying, adding that it is “ unthinkable’ to treat 28 teeth in five and a half hours.
Dr. Goldstein noted that in 2022, Ms. Wilson underwent treatment at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry “to repair and replace many of her restorations in an effort to stabilize her mouth.”
If all of Ms. Wilson’s teeth ended up being removed and replaced with implants, “all the work done and all the expense associated with it would be for naught,” the Associated Press quoted Dr. Goldstein as saying.
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim, Ed. D., is a former Associate Dean of the College of Dentistry at Eastern University. former Dean, College of Dentistry, National University. Past President and Honorary Fellow of the Asian Academy of Oral Implantology. Honorary Fellow of the Japanese College of Oral Implantologists. Honorary Life Member of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology. and Founding President of the Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions about dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515.
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Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI, graduated Doctor of Dentistry, University of the Philippines, College of Dentistry, Manila, 2011. Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, De la Salle University, Manila, 2002; and Master of Science (MSc.) in Oral Implantology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany, 2019. He is Associate Professor. Fellow, International Congress of Oral Implantologists; Member, American Academy of Implant Dentistry and Fellow, Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions about dental health, e-mail limdentalcenter@gmail.com./PN
