The family of a 5-year-old girl filed a lawsuit on January 2 against a Las Vegas dentist, claiming he set the child's mouth on fire during a routine dental procedure that left her with injuries that may be permanent, according to news reports.
The family seeks at least $15,000 from Deep Karan Dhillon, DDS, of Just for Kids Dentistry and Orthodontics, for allegedly burning the girl's epiglottis, throat, tongue, mouth, lips, and nearby areas.
In 2019, the girl was taken to the practice to have multiple crowns placed on her teeth, the suit alleges. The girl was placed under anesthetics during the procedure. While Dr. Dhillon was using a diamond bur to smooth the girl's teeth, it emitted a spark, causing the throat pack in her mouth to ignite. The fire in her mouth lasted for about two seconds, according to the suit.
The child was rushed to the hospital where she stayed for four days to undergo treatment for burns to her palate and lower lip. The suit alleges that some of her injuries, which included burns to her epiglottis and throat, may be permanent.
A week after she was released from the hospital, she returned because she continued to have pain from the burns, as well as hearing problems. She was admitted for nine days, according to the complaint.
In addition to the suit, the family submitted an affidavit from a California oral and maxillofacial surgeon who claims that the dental practice breached the standard of care by not protecting the child's airway adequately. Furthermore, the surgeon accuses the practice of committing several acts that led to an "incendiary" situation.
