Pessimist
emotion_facepalm Why are they suing the dentist and the anesthesiologist? I'm sorry for the family's loss, but neither of them did anything wrong. No one did anything wrong. Anesthesia of any sort, both local and general, carries a risk.
The quotation makes around 'routine' make me want to slap someone, too. It was a routine procedure. A routine procedure that had an unfortunate, but not unprecedented outcome.
EDIT: Once again, people want to know why health care costs so damn much? Here you go, another baseless malpractice suit that will come some out of the doctor's pocket, some out of their insurer's, and some passed onto the consumer. I know these people lost their daughter, but if their first instinct is to sue, my sympathy dwindles.
Pretty much sums it up. I've heard of people suing their vets because their pets died under anesthesia, not realizing that putting them under, even for teeth cleanings, is a huge risk. I'm sure it doesn't happen often, but it does happen. My sister can't be put under for anything because it'll make her violently ill for days.
Also, I think it's ridiculous how many dentists insist that we need to have our wisdom teeth taken out. Some people I can understand have problems with them and do need them taken out. My dentist has been telling me for years that I need to have my wisdom teeth taken out "just in case" and "for the future". Why do I need to have perfectly good teeth yanked out of my head?! I've never had a problem with them, I had plenty of room for them, and my teeth are naturally pretty straight.
I think it's kind of sad that having wisdom teeth taken out has become "routine practice". I wonder if this poor girl really needed her wisdom teeth taken out, or if the dentist just decided it'd be a good idea because it'd mean a couple extra bucks in his pocket.
Also, why was she left alone? When my fiance had some teeth pulled a few years ago they wouldn't let him into the surgery room unless someone was with him and stayed in the waiting room the whole time. I was told that until he was in recovery I wouldn't be allowed to leave the premises. Why did her parents just drop her off!?
Also, usually when an anesthesiologist is involved, doesn't someone have to sign a waver that states the risks? I can understand why they'd sue if no such form was presented.