N.J. dentist investigated after 2nd child's death

NEWARK, N.J. - A New Jersey dentist is under investigation after a second child died in his care during a routine procedure, CBS station WCBS-TV reported.

Prosecutors said 3-year-old Juan Quiej died on Feb. 8 while visiting dentist Patrick Bamgboye's office in Irvington.

The child's mother told the Star-Ledger of Newark that her son was restrained in a cocoon-like papoose to have cavities filled and was given a local anesthetic.

The boy apparently went limp, his lips turned blue, stopped breathing and was later pronounced dead at the hospital, the newspaper reported.

The newspaper said the death has sparked an investigation by the state Division of Consumer Affairs, the agency that oversees the Board of Dentistry, officials confirmed Tuesday.

"We need to know what happened and why," said the division's director Thomas Calcagni.

The 64-year-old dentist is already on probation with the Board of Dentistry for a 2004 incident in which a 6-year-old girl died in his care.

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murray said her office was working with the Attorney General's Office to determine "whether a criminal investigation is warranted."

[nfission]

Sounds like he suffocated to me considering the position his mother said they had him in. So very sad. The moron should not have been able to practice... at all.

[kbbpll]

New Jersey oversees its dentists with the Division of Consumer Affairs? So used car dealers and dentists get lumped together? Nice.

[guest173]

I don't take my kids to any dentist who restrains them. We had one dentist like that and we never went back.

[puzzler125]

How would you know if your dentist has been or is currently on probation? Is there a national listing available, and constantly updated, that informs patients and potential patients when doctors, dentists, and other healthcare practitioners are on probation, being sued for malpractice, etc.?

[gnimelf1968]

Three years old why would you have cavities in the first place?

[pak31]

Why would you go to a dentist who is on probation where a 6 year old died? Aren't there any other dentists?? I do recall a case where a girl died in the dentist's care after going under.

[smittyc]

Sounds like the Dr administered the wrong drug or perhaps gave an adult dose of anesthetic by mistake.

[guest173]

or could have suffocated with the papoose restraint

[venusvegasvada]

Why was the child restrained in a straight jacket in the first place?

Anybody ever hear of self control?

[aChangeOfIdeas]

The kid was 3. I know what they're talking about, my daughter had to be restrained that way when she was about 10 months old, you can't be drilling or sticking needles in wiggly little kids. Maybe the kid had a reaction to the anesthetic? Or they grossly misused the restraint? In either case my sympathies to the parents and family.

[beachgirl2365]

More than likely the child was allergic to general anesthetic. It is a condition called Malignant Hyperthermia. It is considered rare, but it shows the dangers of trying to administer anesthetics in an environment that is not equipped to handle it or monitor the patients vitals................... very sad.

[Devlyn13]

excuse me but the child underwent a local anesthetic not a general anesthetic there is a big difference.

[circus2]

I don't think I would have taken my child to a dentist on probation.
Isn't there a law that the patients know the background of their doctor (dentist, surgeon, general, etc.)