Woman files lawsuit against dentist over alleged excessive dental procedures
Minnesota woman sues dentist for alleged malpractice, claiming excessive procedures during a single visit left her disfigured Lawsuit filed after more than 30 treatments, including 4 root canals, 8 crowns, and 20 fillings, were performed in July 2020
Kathleen Wilson, a woman from Minnesota, has filed a malpractice lawsuit alleging that her Eden Prairie dentist, Dr. Kevin Molldrem, left her disfigured after performing over 30 procedures during a single appointment. In the civil lawsuit filed last week in Hennepin County District Court against Molldrem Family Dentistry, Wilson claimed that she had to seek out other dentists to address the "negligent work" done by Molldrem, resulting in "significant injuries," as stated in the complaint.
Wilson claims that in July 2020, Molldrem completed eight crowns, four root canals, and 20 fillings during a single visit. The lawsuit also alleges that Molldrem administered an excessive amount of anesthesia to Wilson and falsely documented the amount of anesthetic given.
CNN has attempted to contact Molldrem but has not received a response. According to an affidavit, Wilson's lawyer, Nathaniel Weimer, stated that they have hired Dr. Avrum Goldstein, a dentist from a Florida university, as an expert witness to review Wilson's records.
The report dated November 14 confirmed Molldrem's diagnosis that "virtually every tooth" in Wilson's mouth had decay. Goldstein agreed with this assessment but disagreed with Molldrem's treatment approach, stating that Wilson needed a more gradual and careful response to her dental issues. Goldstein believed that attempting to fill every cavity in Wilson's mouth in one visit was not realistically attainable.
In his report, Goldstein observed that the amount of anesthesia administered by Molldrem to Wilson far exceeded the safe limit. According to Goldstein, the maximum safe dosage of anesthetic is 490 mg, but Molldrem gave Wilson 960 mg, as indicated in Molldrem's anesthesia records.
Goldstein reported that there are limits to the amount of anesthetic that can be given in a 5- or 6-hour period, and going over this limit could put the patient at risk of an anesthetic overdose and potential harm. CNN contacted Goldstein for comment, but has not received a response.
CNN reached out to the American Dental Association to inquire about the appropriateness of multiple procedures being conducted in a single visit, as well as the ADA's typical recommendation for such situations. In response, the ADA indicated that its guidelines do not address dosing and directed CNN to the American Society of Anesthesiologists or the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology. Subsequently, CNN sought information from these organizations regarding maximum dosages.
Wilson is claiming to have suffered pain and humiliation, and is seeking over $50,000 in damages. Court records indicate that Molldrem was served a summons at his office in Eden Prairie on December 20. The practice's website states that Molldrem has been practicing dentistry for 20 years.
CNN contacted Weimer, who said he prefers "not to comment on active litigation."
