Eastern Health has responded to concerns raised by a Sheshatshiu man who says his 3-year-old grandson was injured during a recent dental procedure at Janeway Hospital. Paul Rich says his grandson Owen and the boy’s parents went to the pediatric dental clinic in St. John’s to fill multiple cavities, cover eight teeth and undergo nerve therapy. According to Rich, the dentist gave the child laughing gas and numbed his gums, however the child was still screaming in pain and had to be restrained while the dentist completed the procedure despite his mother’s objections. Eastern Health says dentists at Janeway work with parents and, where appropriate, the child to find a balanced and individualized treatment approach that takes into account the child’s age, maturity level, urgency of care and family wishes . It says that while it cannot publicly discuss the details of a specific patient’s treatment for privacy reasons, it appreciates the concerns that have been raised and is committed to taking “all necessary actions” to ensure safe and quality care is provided to patients.
