Author Lauren Burns

Three-year-old dies after questionable dental treatment

Jan. 6, 2014
A dentist in Hawaii is fighting a malpractice suit due to the death of his three-year-old patient, to whom he administered three different central nervous system depressants in an attempt to perform what may have been questionable procedures.

January 6, 2014

A dentist in Hawaii is fighting a malpractice suit due to the death of his three-year-old patient, to whom he administered three different central nervous system depressants in an attempt to perform what may have been questionable procedures.

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Finley Boyle died in hospice care days after failed dental procedures, which included four root canals and six fillings. Medical records indicate that dentist Lilly Geyer administered a combination of three central nervous system depressants, the combination of which “enhanced the strength of each without appropriate adjustments in dosage,” according to TheTownTalk.com. The family lawyer said that at least one of the drugs that was administered was “an excessive dose.”

Medical records also indicate that Finley went nearly half an hour without having her oxygen levels measured.

Inadequate monitoring is obviously a major aspect of the case, but the dentist may have also failed to properly diagnose, medicate, and resuscitate the patient, according to the suit. In fact, another dentist said that most of the dental work was unnecessary.

Ashley Boyle, Linley’s mother and a registered nurse, said there was still hope when Linley was placed in hospice a week ago.

“We were all hoping,” she said. “Even the doctors are in tears.”

Lauren Burns is the editor of Proofs magazine and the email newsletters RDH Graduate and Proofs. She is currently based out of New York City. Follow her on Twitter: @ellekeid.