AUSTIN – The head of the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners says she will push to permanently revoke the license of a dentist accused of waiting four hours to get medical help for a sedated toddler who suffered seizures.
The dental board temporarily suspended the license of Dr. Bethaniel Jefferson, of Spring, within days of learning of the January incident, Kelly Parker, executive director of the dental board, said.
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"Staff believes that Dr. Jefferson's actions have shown that she is a threat to the public," Parker wrote in a statement. "The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners' mission is to protect the public's health and safety."
The attorney for the family of 4-year-old Nevaeh Hall says the family plans to sue the dentist after the girl suffered brain damage. Hall cannot walk and is fed using a feeding tube.
Dental board discipline documents reviewed by Channel 2 investigative reporter Jace Larson say Jefferson waited hours to call for help after Hall suffered seizures.
State dental board director just told me she wants to yank this Spring, Tex. dentist's license permanently. pic.twitter.com/Hb8ypXG0cF
— Jace Larson (@jacelarson) March 10, 2016
Jefferson gave Hall “oral medication instead of contacting emergency personnel,” the document reads. It then alleges Jefferson “delayed several hours before contacting emergency personnel.”
[Read Jefferson's temporary suspension from 2016 here.
Read Jefferson's discipline records from 2012 & 2005 here.]
Parker says her office will not be offering Jefferson any type of agreement to keep her license. Dentists are often able to keep their license in the end if they agree to go to training, pay a fine or have their license temporarily suspended.
That will not be an option in this case, Parker says.
Jefferson’s case is scheduled to go before an administrative law judge March 28 and 29. The judge will make a recommendation to the dental board. That won’t likely happen until July or later.
The board will make a final determination about Jefferson’s license. The board could accept the administrative law judge’s recommendation or make another decision.
Jefferson can then accept the dental board’s decision or choose to take the matter to district court.
Jefferson’s dental license will stay suspended throughout this process.
HISTORY OF DISCIPLINE
In 2012, Jefferson was reprimanded by the dental board after she didn't properly sedate a young patient. In 2005, she was reprimanded after she didn't keep proper track of a patient's blood pressure and pulse.
"This doctor is a danger to the lives and safety of people who might seek to take their children" to be treated by her, the Hall’s family attorney, Jim Moriarty, told Channel 2 Wednesday.
Jefferson has not returned Channel 2’s calls for comment.
The Halls family held a news conference Thursday morning to warn Houston families about the dangers of what can happen in the dental chair.
This story will be updated with that information.
A Channel 2 investigation in February 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, dental board records reviewed by Channel 2 show. The actual number of patients who have died as a result of a dental procedure is not tracked.
If you have a tip about this story or a story idea for investigative reporter Jace Larson, email him at jlarson@kprc.com or text him at 832-493-3951.