Dental Malpractice and Anesthesia Complications
When you think of dental malpractice, you may think of misdiagnosis of oral cancer or mishaps while performing oral surgery. Dental malpractice can take many forms, and involve dentists, oral surgeons, and any other dental care professionals who are negligent in their duty to their patients. The Salt Lake City, UT attorneys of Younker Hyde Macfarlane, PLLC are here to help.
For major dental procedures, sedatives and anesthesia may be required to help reduce pain, limit anxiety, and prevent harm to the patient. When anesthesiologists fail, it can lead to a number of complications for a dental patient.
Failure to Check for Allergic Reactions to Anesthesia
Some people have adverse reactions to certain medications and substances. This includes anesthesia and other sorts of sedatives. It’s important that dentists go over potential allergies or other issues a patient may experience if they are exposed to such substances. Failure to check for possible allergic reactions and other dangers could be disastrous.
Administering Too Much or Too Little Anesthesia
Sometimes an anesthesiologist is negligent in the amount of anesthesia that is administered. Giving too much anesthesia could put a patient’s life at risk. Too little anesthesia could lead to the patient become conscious earlier than anticipated, which can be a harrowing and traumatic experience. The right amount must be used.
Improper Intubation of a Patient
Intubation is a process in which a tube is placed in the unconscious patient’s trachea in order to maintain an open airway as well as a means for certain oral medications to be administered. Errors with intubation could result in damage to the teeth and tissues of the trachea as well as breathing problems and inability to receive medications. None of these complications should be tolerated since patients rely on properly trained anesthesiologists to do their job.
Negligent Monitoring of the Patient Under Anesthesia
When a patient is under the effects of anesthesia, they have their vital signs monitored throughout the treatment process. This allows problems to be addressed as soon as they arise. If the anesthesiologist or other members of the oral surgery/dental care team are not paying attention, breathing errors and other health issues may occur. This is especially true of
Issues with Dental Sedation Techniques
Dental sedation is another form of pain and anxiety reduction unique to dentists. Patients will be conscious when under dental sedation, but they will be in a relaxed state. Allergic reactions, improper dosage of sedatives, and other errors may occur when sedation is used.
Though not related to anesthesia errors per se, there have also been cases of dentists sexually assaulting and taking advantage of patients while they are under the effects of sedatives. This is obviously a criminal offense and should never be tolerated given the trust we place in dentist and all health care professionals to do what is right and for the benefit of the patient.
Holding Dental Professionals Accountable
Whenever a dental care professional acts in a negligent or dangerous manner, it’s important that they be held accountable for their actions. By working with an attorney, we can help you receive damages for the harm the dentist or oral surgeon has caused, and also take anesthesiologists to task for making severe mistakes. Our team is here to help you.
Speak with Medical and Dental Malpractice Lawyers
For more information about your legal rights and options regarding dental malpractice matters, encourage you to contact the attorneys at Younker Hyde Macfarlane, PLLC. Our legal experts are here to help. You can reach our law firm by phone at (801) 335-7025.
