HOUSTON – A Channel 2 investigation has found a small number of patients have died at dentists’ offices after being sedated or going under anesthesia.
A least six dentists since 2010 have been disciplined for their conduct after a patient died, Texas Board of Dental Examiners records reviewed by Channel 2 show. The actual number of patients who have died as a result of a dental procedure is not tracked.
The TSBDE stated that in the same five-year period, it has been notified of a total of 102 patient deaths by dental practitioners. However, it is not clear how many of the deaths were related to the treatment.
[READ: Patient checklist for dental anesthesia and sedation]
Marcus Gressett was 39 years old when he went to a Kingwood, Texas, endodontist to have a root canal.
His parents, Carol and Don Gressett, said the dentist recommended that Marcus be put to sleep for the procedure because he had a gag reflex.
The endodontist performed the root canal and a dental anesthesiologist was charged with making sure Marcus Gressett was properly sedated.
During the procedure, while under anesthesia, his heart stopped beating. He was later pronounced dead. The coroner’s report said he suffered from a nearly blocked artery and died suddenly during the dental procedure.
“It was not the call you ever expect or want to get,” Marcus Gressett's mom said.
After his death, Carol Gressett learned the dental board found the dental anesthesiologist responsible for Marcus' sedation, Dr. Jayson Huneycutt, did not have important lifesaving equipment to assist a patient if something went wrong.
The dental board settlement order resulting from the Oct. 5, 2011, incident found Huneycutt “failed to provide appropriate emergency management,” and failed to institute emergency protocol, including access to “advanced airway equipment; resuscitation medications; and defibrillation.” The board order also says Huneycutt did not adhere to “generally accepted protocol to standard of care for management of complications and emergencies.”
[READ: Dr. Huneycutt agreed settlement order]
"(Marcus) never had a chance, never had a chance," Don Gressett said.
Channel 2 Investigates discovered Huneycutt had a long history of state discipline with the dental board.
Other settlement orders show he illegally prescribed Ambien years ago.
In 2008, the dental board in Texas found he engaged in unprofessional and dishonorable conduct by participating in a video with a sedated patient. The patient had no idea.
Two years later board discipline records show Huneycutt was “deemed addicted to or habitually intemperate in the use of alcoholic beverages.”
After Marcus' case, the board did not yank Huneycutt's dental license, but required him to undergo 320 hours of training. He was then allowed to continue practicing.
Channel 2 Investigates discovered none of the six dentists disciplined after a patient death since 2010 have lost their licenses.
[READ: Other dentists' agreed settlement orders]
Channel 2 Investigative reporter Jace Larson asked the executive director of the Texas Board of Dental Examiners why Huneycutt’s license was not suspended or revoked.
Kelly Parker was not the executive director when Huneycutt’s discipline matters went before the Board of Dental Examiners. She joined the organization last year.
"The thing that's distinguishable about Huneycutt is that his disciplinary action was due to a different, distinct violations of the Dental Practices Act," Parker said.
She said the dental board works off a discipline matrix and the discipline Huneycutt received.
KPRC 2’s investigation found the state dental board doesn't inspect dentist’s offices that provide sedation and anesthesia to make sure they have the equipment to save someone's life if something goes wrong.
"We cannot," Parker said. "We don't currently have the authority to do certain things ,and I believe we need that in order to protect the public."
State law does not allow the dental board to randomly inspect a dentist’s office to make sure it is safe for intravenous sedation or the next lower level of sedation.
The dental board can inspect some dentists’ offices where the patient is not going to be put fully to sleep, but the state Legislature has not provided the dental board with funding to pay for those inspections.
The Texas Board of Dental Examiners can inspect an office as part of an investigation. Parker said every complaint, especially those involving a patient death, are fully investigated.
Former dentist turned malpractice attorney Greg Myers has defended dentists in disciplinary action before the dental board.
"I've seen times where they couldn't find the emergency kit, where the emergency kit was in the car," Myers said.
He said patients should background their dentist.
Click here to look up your dentist to see if he/she has been disciplined.
"I think the general public tends to put more thought into shopping for a car as opposed to shopping for a dentist," Myers said.
Experts said patients should ask their dentist if the office is prepared to handle an emergency if one arises.
Patients should also ask who, in addition to the dentist, will be monitoring their heath during a procedure.
Ask far more questions than Marcus Gressett did, or perhaps we did, about what may happen.
If you have a tip about this story or a story idea for investigative reporter Jace Larson, email jlarson@kprc.com or call 832-493-3951.