Ohio teen dies after tooth extractions

Jan 4, 2011

A 13-year-old girl from Elyria, OH, died January 3, two weeks after having two teeth extracted by an oral surgeon.

Marissa Kingery was undergoing oral surgery by Henry Mazorow, DDS, on December 21 when she was rushed by ambulance to Mercy Regional Medical Center in Lorain and placed on life support, according to a story in the Chronicle-Telegram.

The girl was later taken to Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital in Cleveland, where she died.

The tentative cause of death was lack of oxygen to the brain, according to the Cuyahoga County Coroner’s Office. Toxicology tests are being done before a final determination is made.

Dr. Mazorow, who specializes in oral and maxillofacial surgery, could not be reached for comment as of press time.

The family has retained attorney Michael Czack to prepare a possible wrongful death lawsuit, according to the story. He also could not be reached for comment.

The girl was having two deciduous teeth removed and a third tooth worked on related to her orthodontia, the Chronicle-Telegram reported.

Dr. Mazorow, who turns 81 this month, has been practicing since 1956 and is licensed to administer general anesthesia, according to his license with the Ohio State Dental Board. The dental board has no record of disciplinary action against Dr. Mazorow.

Three or four dental patients die annually in Ohio following sedation, the story said.

Kingery is the sixth child to die in the U.S. since February 2009 after undergoing sedation prior to dental treatment.

The Raven Maria Blanco Foundation, founded following the death of 8-year-old Raven Blanco during a dental procedure, has been trying to bring awareness and action regarding emergency medical preparedness to the dental community.

Blanco died in March 2007 after receiving three drugs by Virginia dentist Michael Hechtkopf, DDS. The drugs were used to calm the child while she had her teeth cleaned and calcium deposits removed.

Dr. Hechtkopf administered 1,300 mg of chloral hydrate and 30 mg of hydroxyzine, according to dental board hearings on the matter. The autopsy showed Blanco had a blood concentration of 24 mg/L of chloral hydrate -- three times the average range -- which the medical examiner considered lethal.