Dental Patient Files Lawsuit Against Dentist, Alleging Unsafe Anesthesia and Subpar Treatment

A Minnesota woman says a dentist left her disfigured after extensive and unnecessary dental work.

A Minnesota woman named Kathleen Wilson has filed a lawsuit against Dr. Kevin Molldrem, a dentist in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, claiming negligence and disfigurement resulting from extensive dental work conducted in a single visit in July 2020, the Star Tribune reports. Wilson’s lawsuit, filed last week in Hennepin County District Court, alleges that Dr. Molldrem provided unsafe anesthesia levels, falsified medical records, and failed to deliver appropriate care.

Wilson’s legal team enlisted Dr. Avrum Goldstein, a Florida-based dentist, to review her medical records. In a report dated Nov. 14, Goldstein identified breaches of duty of care, stating that while Molldrem made the correct diagnosis, the treatment quality was subpar. Goldstein emphasized that Wilson’s extensive decay required a careful and measured response, and Molldrem’s attempt to address all Wilson’s issues in one visit was both ineffective and inhumane.

Dr. Goldstein explained, “Trying to fill every hole in every tooth in her mouth in one visit is not only the antithesis of what was indicated, it is not humanely possible to achieve in an effective or constructive manner.” He highlighted the challenge of maintaining adequate anesthesia during long appointments and noted that Molldrem administered 960 mg of anesthesia to Wilson, exceeding the maximum recommended dosage of 490 mg.

Records show that Molldrem claimed to have administered eight tubes of dental anesthetic, but Goldstein found that the first dose alone was eight tubes, with a total of 15 administered throughout the visit. Wilson sought evaluation and treatment at the University of Minnesota Dental School in 2022 for recurrent decay and other damage.

In addition to potential medical costs, Wilson, if required to replace all her teeth with implants, may find the previous dental work rendered futile. The lawsuit asserts that beyond financial implications, Wilson endured pain, embarrassment, disfigurement, and distress, and seeks damages of at least $50,000.

Molldrem and his attorney, Nathaniel Weimer, have yet to respond to requests for comment. The lawsuit raises concerns about the quality and safety of dental procedures conducted in a single visit, prompting a call for accountability and patient safety in dental care practices.