The family of a 72-year-old woman who died after suffering a cardiac arrest during a dental implant procedure in Dublin has settled a High Court action over her death.
Margaret O’Doherty went into cardiac arrest on August 18, 2020, while undergoing the insertion of seven dental implants under conscious sedation at a clinic in Sandyford, Co Dublin. Five implants had been completed when the emergency occurred. She was taken by ambulance to hospital and died five days later.
Her husband, Michael O’Doherty of Gorey, Co Wexford, brought proceedings against two dentists who were practising at the clinic at the time. The case was settled following mediation, without any admission of liability. The High Court was asked only to approve the division of a €35,000 mental distress solatium payment.
The family alleged that excessive doses of intravenous sedative and local anaesthetic were administered, leading to cardiac arrest and a subsequent brain injury. It was also claimed there was a failure to adequately consider Mrs O’Doherty’s age, low body weight and overall condition when managing sedation and anaesthesia. All claims were denied.
The court heard that three years ago the Coroner’s Court returned a verdict of medical misadventure. The coroner made three recommendations to the Dental Council, including an urgent review and update of the code of practice governing general anaesthesia, sedation and resuscitation in outpatient dental settings.
Counsel for the family said they were determined that similar incidents should not happen again and wanted to see the recommendations implemented.
Approving the settlement and the division of the solatium, Judge Paul Coffey extended his deepest sympathy to the O’Doherty family, who were not present in court.