Dentist's License Suspended Over Fatal Wisdom Tooth Surgery
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (WCCO) -- The Minnesota Board of Dentistry temporarily suspended a Twin Cities dentist following a common oral surgery that led to a patient's death.
Paul Tompach's license was suspended on Jan. 29 following an investigation.
The decision comes after 17-year-old Sydney Galleger went into cardiac arrest last summer while having her wisdom teeth removed and later died.
In a three page document, the Minnesota Board of Dentistry outlines the reasoning behind temporarily suspending the license of Dr. Paul Tompach, a dentist whose practice is located in Edina.
In addressing the death of Galleger, the order stated that Tompach, "failed to provide appropriate oral surgery care, failed to appropriately manage a medical emergency and enabled allied dental personnel to perform tasks which exceeded their legal scope of practice."
The board's executive director Bridgett Anderson wouldn't go into specifics but said an uncertified dental assistant had some involvement when Galleger received anesthesia.
The state has guidelines for duties allowed by licensed dental assistants. Without licensing certification, a dental assistant can't place or remove IV lines, monitor a sedated patient or administer medication in procedures dealing with anesthesia.
The board will be meeting with Dr. Tompach on Thursday to address the issue in a private meeting.
Tompach was not available for comment.
