Patient swallows device during surgery, sues dentist

A patient who allegedly swallowed a device during dental surgery recently filed a malpractice lawsuit against the dentist who performed the procedure as well as the California dental practice where it was done.

Grady Luong is suing Dr. Howard Lien and the Lee Dental Center in San Jose, CA, where the patient underwent a dental procedure. The suit alleges the dentist and the center committed negligent dental work, leaving Luong with severe physical and emotional distress.

"Plaintiff's injuries arose from the negligence of defendants, and each of them, by failing to properly treat plaintiff," according to the lawsuit, which was filed on June 7 in the Superior Court of California in the County of Santa Clara.

In June 2023, the patient reportedly was undergoing a procedure at Lee Dental when a dental device fell down Luong's throat and was swallowed. Lien and the practice allegedly instructed Luong to go to a hospital emergency department due to the ingested object, according to the suit.

The incident required Luong to undergo surgery, and since then, Luong has purportedly had ongoing complications that have required continued medical care and treatment. Furthermore, Luong claims that the practice and Lien failed to exercise the standard of care and skill that dental professionals need and Luong needs ongoing dental care to repair the initial negligent treatment received, according to the suit.

Luong is seeking general damages exceeding $25,000 plus compensation for past and future medical expenses incurred from the alleged malpractice and prejudgment interest on general and special damages.

"As a proximate result of the said negligence and carelessness of the Defendants, and each of them, plaintiff was hurt and injured in his health, strength and activity, sustaining injury to his body and shock and injury to his nervous system and person," the complaint alleges.