It all started when a dentist at Absolute Dental in Las Vegas Nevada told me that the pain I was…read morefeeling was due to a cracked and infected molar (i.e., number 31). Furthermore, I was told that the only practical remedy was to have it removed. I made an appointment to see their oral surgeon (Dr. Kim). Before being discharged, I was prescribed ibuprofen and amoxicillin.
When I returned for my appointment with Dr. Kim, he refused to perform the procedure. I was perplexed. Whatever reservations he had were never quite clear to me. Instead, I was referred to Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates of Nevada; where I managed to secure a consultation with Dr. Eric Swanson.
During the initial consultation, I found Dr. Swanson to be congenial. Combined with his Harvard credentials, I felt as though I was in good hands. Regarding his plan, he told me he would anesthetize the area with a local injection of Novocain. I was surprised and relieved. Based on the histrionics I witnessed from the referring surgeon at Absolute Dental, I was expecting something more complicated. When I mentioned that I take a blood thinner, Dr. Swanson said that he might suture the wound to facilitate healing. The tooth in question had a gold crown, which he promised to preserve. Finally, he advised me to start taking an antibiotic several days prior to the procedure.
On the day of the procedure, Dr. Swanson dispensed with the preliminary application of a topical anesthetic. Instead, he went straight for the needle. That didn't bother me, because I have always believed that if you can endure those dreaded moments, the worst is over. Then, he and his two assistants left the room, promising to return in about five minutes. There is no hurry, I thought to myself. I wanted the Novocain to have enough time to take effect.
When the team returned, they took up positions around my chair. Dr. Swanson said that he would be behind me. At this point, Dr. Swanson still had not made any effort to ensure that I was sufficiently numb. He never did. Instead, he inserted a bite block. I figured this was it. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.
The first thirty to forty-five seconds went well. Although there was a modicum of discomfort, it was manageable. Unfortunately, that didn't last! Seconds later, I was crying out in pain! In retrospect, my guess is that the doctor had finished pulling the crown and was digging in my jaw for remnants of the root. With each thrust of the implement, I let out a scream! What I couldn't comprehend was the fact that, despite my obvious distress, he wouldn't stop! It might have been a good time for him to pause and reconsider his protocol. Perhaps administering more Novocain was warranted.
Eventually, the doctor asked me whether I was doing okay. I tried to respond, but I still had the bite block in my mouth and could only howl incoherently. Oddly, he did not remove the block so that I could speak clearly. Instead, the torture continued for several more minutes before he announced that the operation was done.
In the 7+ decades I have been on this earth, I have had several teeth pulled. I have never felt pain. In fact, I seldom felt anything! This was the most traumatic encounter in a doctor's office that I've ever had. Typically, my practitioners have always ensured that I was sufficiently anesthetized before proceeding. Dr. Swanson did not. Even after he discovered that the anesthesia was not effective, he did nothing to remediate the situation. I'm not sure what compelled him, but his actions were unconscionable. Why he thought it was appropriate to proceed, despite my obvious distress is inexplicable.
One might wonder why I didn't offer more resistance. Why didn't I make a greater effort to halt the proceedings? Well, the fact of the matter is that I am disabled. The neurological disorder that I have affects my motor control. Consequently, I require assistance when walking and find it difficult using my hands effectively. Although I was not physically restrained, I felt trapped. I feared that any sudden movement could risk injury. Attempting to grab the doctor's arm while he had unknown implements in my mouth could have been disastrous. There seemed to be no avenue of escape. I use a walker to walk and maintain balance. If I had tried getting out of the chair, I would have ended up on the floor. The doctor had already ignored obvious indications that I was in distress. I was at their mercy and out of options.
I feel that the doctor's performance fell short of a reasonable standard of care; resulting in the infliction of undue pain and suffering. In good conscience, I cannot recommend Dr. Swanson.
