[ ::: ♥Keep_Mailing♥ ::: ]™ LICENCE OF INDIAN DENTIST SUSPENDED IN CONNECTICUT

Connecticut Dentist's License Suspended After Patient Dies

From News Dispatches

A Connecticut dentist with a history of malpractice had his license suspended last month after a patient undergoing bone grafts and the extraction of numerous teeth died under his care. Dental regulators suspended Dr. Rashmi Patel's license on April 21, The Hartford Courant reported May 19. Patel, who faces a hearing before the Connecticut State Dental Commission on June 18, reportedly denies the allegations of sub-standard care, his lawyer, Michael Kogut of Springfield, Mass., told the paper.

The patient, Judith Gan, 64, of Ellington, Conn., died at Bay State Medical Center in Springfield, Mass., Feb. 17. According to a four-count statement of charges filed against Patel, he failed to "properly respond to J.G.'s oxygen desaturation and/or respiratory distress and/or cardiopulmonary distress," the Courant reported. Patel allegedly continued the procedure despite his assistant "begging" him to stop as Gan stopped breathing and eventually flat-lined. Records indicate Patel intended to do 20 extractions. The patient had an extensive medical history, including cardiac problems. During the procedure, the low-oxygen alarm went off repeatedly and the patient was making gurgling sounds before she stopped breathing, the records state.

The health department began an investigation after receiving an anonymous complaint against Patel on Feb. 21. The investigative records include statements by assistants and hygienists in the office.

The DPH inspectors also reported that Patel failed to properly gauge the duration of the procedure or of the anesthesia; failed to accurately determine how many extractions and implants were necessary, and never properly identified a method for monitoring the patient while she was under anesthesia. Inspectors also reportedly found at least five expired medications in his office.

Patel can no longer practice at his clinics in Enfield and Torrington. However, Kogut told The Hartford Courant that both clinics remain open and that Patel will fight the charges. "(Patel) is highly skilled and respected in the field of sedation dentistry," Kogut told the paper. "The record is clear that these allegations and what has been reported are not founded in accuracy or fact, even to the point that this arbitrary action was taken against Dr. Patel before the cause of death was determined. The Department of Public Health has again acted outside its limitations."

The Gan episode comes after a December incident, when a 55-year-old man "aspirated the throat pack" and was rushed to the hospital.

The unidentified victim, referred to as J.S. in state records, stopped breathing and spent six days in the hospital after suffering heart and lung damage, WFSB-TV reported. Earlier in 2009, Patel was sued for malpractice by a former employee after he performed "shoddy" dental work, The New York Daily News reported. Doreen Jasonis won nearly $500,000 from a jury in 2011, but the ruling was appealed and eventually ended with an out-of-court settlement, the paper said.

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