State Denies Claim By Inmate Over Dental Care

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- State officials say a North Dakota prison inmate who filed a federal lawsuit over his medical treatment has no basis for his claim.

Dennis Gaede is serving a life sentence for killing and dismembering a Wisconsin man. Gaede was convicted of killing Timothy Wicks in 2001 in Gaede's home in Gardner, north of Fargo.

Gaede says he requested a root canal and crown after he cracked a tooth, but the tooth was pulled instead. He claims that violated his constitutional rights regarding cruel and unusual punishment.

State officials say they don't believe Gaede has a serious medical condition and deny that they failed to provide adequate dental care.

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