THE daughter of a woman who died after treatment went wrong at a celebrity dental clinic has slammed the decision not to revoke the anaesthetist’s licence.
A series of blunders saw Tina Owens, 60, suffer brain damage while under anaesthetic at Kevin Sands’ practice in Beverly Hills, California.
FacebookTina Owens died after being put under anaesthesic at a plush dentist[/caption]
Rachael OwensThe mum-of-three pictured with her husband Brent and children[/caption]
The mum-of-three was rushed to hospital on February 20, 2019, but tragically died days later after suffering cardiac arrest and a traumatic brain injury triggered by a lack of oxygen.
An investigation by the Dental Board of California has now revealed Tina’s death was linked to gross negligence, incompetence and unprofessional conduct by dental anaesthesiologist Dr Hadi Nassar.
But despite the board’s findings, Dr Nassar’s licence has not been revoked and instead will be under review for five years.
Tina’s heartbroken daughter Rachael told The Sun: “It’s heartbreaking to hear that this anaesthesiologist gets to carry on and continue practising with what feels like only a slap on the wrist.”
Dr Sands worked as the in-house anaesthesiologist at Dr Sands’ clinic, which has clients including Kim Kardashian, Miley Cyrus, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Justin Bieber, Kanye West and Britney Spears.
He is one of the richest cosmetic surgeons in the world with an estimated fortune of $20million (£16m), and his clinic is surrounded by high-end designer stores including Gucci and Cartier.
Tina – who founded professional hair extension business Halocouture – booked in for a full mouth of crowns and veneers at the plush practice and was put under anaesthetic on February 20, 2019.
But around an hour after Dr Nassar initiated intravenous anaesthesia, Tina’s blood pressure and pulse measurements started dropping between 10.45am and 10.55am.
He then asked the dental assistant to stop work as Tina had suffered a “sudden and significant deterioration in vital signs”.
Documents issued by the board reveal Dr Nassar delegated CPR to a dental assistant with “little to no clinical experience” despite having “extensive training” himself.
It meant the artificial ventilation Tina received was “inadequate”.
The “prolonged period of inadequate ventilation and oxygenation” likely caused Tina’s anoxic brain injury and cardiac arrest, the authority said.
Paramedics arrived at around 11am and continued resuscitation efforts while rushing Tina to hospital, documents show.
But after a “prolonged course of intensive critical care”, she was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury and life support was withdrawn before she died on March 3.
Documents reveal Dr Nassar failed to probe glaring contradictions in two of Tina’s medical forms before she was put under general anaesthetic.
He also did not get written consent from Tina and did not have the appropriate number of people present when administering the sedative.
The care she received, or lack there-of, cost her her life and my family irreparable pain and sadness
Rachael Owens
Tina’s sister, who was at the practice with the mum when she fell ill, also claimed it took five minutes for Dr Nassar to initiate CPR.
As part of the five-year probation until September 2028, Dr Nassar must be supervised by a dentist during at least the first ten procedures performed following the order.
Dr Sands confirmed Dr Nassar no longer worked at his clinic, however, and it is unclear where he now practises.
He told The Sun: “Dr Nassar has not worked in my office for several years. I stopped working with him.
“I feel horrible for the family.
“I have not seen him or spoken to him in years.”
Tina’s death has caused untold heartache for her beloved family – who have not only had to come to terms with their grief but also follow the investigation.
Her daughter Rachael has branded the Board’s decision a “slap on the wrist” and says her family believe Dr Nassar’s licence should have been revoked.
She told The Sun: “I feel like the whole process has been pretty devastating for me.
Rachael OwensTina’s daughter Rachael, centre, pictured with her mum, right, and sister, left[/caption]
Rachael OwensTina, 60, had booked in for crowns and veneers[/caption]
“In my opinion, everything that unfolded in court only leads me to believe more that Nassar’s licence should have been taken away.
“I respect the judge but it’s heartbreaking to hear that this anaesthesiologist gets to carry on and continue practising with what feels like only a slap on the wrist.”
Rachael said her mum’s death has had an everlasting impact on her devastated family.
She added: “I feel that there is so much evidence that my mom’s death wasn’t an accident, but was an accumulation of improper care during her procedure and after she went into cardiac arrest.
“The care she received, or lack there-of, cost her her life and my family irreparable pain and sadness.
“It makes me nervous to know other people will continue receiving care from Nassar and may never know what has happened previously in his career.
“My mom’s life is worth infinitely more than five years of probation.
“It’s hard not to think about what happened every day and how I wish it could be different.
“I miss my mom so much – and hope no one else has to go through what my family and I have.”
Tina’s heartbroken husband of 27 years Brent also filed a civil lawsuit against Dr Sands and Dr Nassar, accusing them of wrongful death by medical negligence, fraud and battery.
Dr Nassar denied all allegations made against them in the civil complaint.
The case was settled in 2021, however, after being resolved through a confidential settlement on undisclosed terms.
Dr Kevin Sands’ clients include a host of celebrities including Kim Kardashian Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
