Lessons From the News: A Topic Worth Revisiting
The Headline – “Man Accidentally Inhales a Drill Bit During a Dental Procedure, Lodging It in His Lung”
In a 2022 news article, a man accidentally inhaled a drill bit that his dentist used during a routine dental procedure. Continue reading to discover how this occurred—and what to do if it happens to you!
The Facts – What We Know
While at his dentist having a routine tooth-filling procedure, a 60-year-old male patient aspirated a bur. He says “I didn’t really even feel it going down. All I felt was a cough”. A subsequent CT scan revealed that it had lodged in the right lower lobe of the lung. It was successfully retrieved without harm to the patient by a medical team at Aurora Medical Center in Kenosha, WI. Following the successful retrieval of the foreign body, it was reported that the patient said, “I was never so happy in my life when I opened my eyes and I saw him with a smile under that mask, shaking a little plastic container that had the tool in it.”
This news story highlights how unwelcome and unsettling it can be for dentists when a patient accidentally ingests a foreign object. The risk of losing control of an object in the oropharynx is a preventable complication if protective measures are taken during any routine dental procedure.
Lessons Learned – Risk Management Tips
• Make a timely and appropriate referral. This was the appropriate action to take. If something like this happens to you, refer the patient to the emergency room without hesitation so they can receive a radiographic examination to locate the precise position of the object. The location of the foreign body should not be assumed; it is difficult, if not impossible, to determine with certainty where the object has gone.
• Operate constantly as a prudent dental professional. As a reasonably prudent dentist, you must protect your patients from this known complication. Failing to implement various reasonable and prudent preventive measures could place the practitioner in a position where it may be argued that there has been a breach of duty.
• Keep in touch with your patient until the complication is fully resolved. This demonstrates your care for the patient and your concern about checking in with them.
• Report the incident to your malpractice carrier. Even if this incident does not escalate into a claim against you, you should notify your professional liability insurance company.
Protect Your Patients from Accidental Ingestion of a Foreign Body
If you would like to learn more about protecting your patients from this unfortunate scenario, read our article, “Protect Your Patients from Accidental Ingestion of a Foreign Body” here.
The information contained on the DentistCare Blog does not establish a standard of care, nor does it constitute legal advice. The information is for general informational purposes only. We encourage all blog visitors to consult with their personal attorneys for legal advice, as specific legal requirements may vary from state to state. Links or references to organizations, websites, or other information is for reference use only and do not constitute the rendering of legal, financial, or other professional advice or recommendations. All information contained on the blog is subject to change.
