An Arizona teen is at war with his dentist after the doctor refused to donate his teeth following an extraction.
Samuel Vaughan, 18, had four teeth removed by experienced dentist Dr. Ryan Barney, 53, at his practice in Benson.
The patient expected to leave with his teeth in hand, but was left indignant when the dentist denied his request.
He was even more furious when he learned that the teeth had been destroyed after the procedure.
“I went into the office fully expecting to return with the four extracted teeth in my possession (and was never told anything to the contrary before the appointment),” Vaughan said. My Herald Review via email.
Samuel Vaughan, 18, is at war with his dentist after the doctor refused to give up his teeth after an extraction
“Not only did I leave without teeth, but I also felt victimized and lied to.”
The teen was told the teeth could pose a health risk and was therefore thrown away as is standard dental practice.
But Vaughan claims he was a victim of “theft” and “fraud” and has since filed complaints against the dentist and with the Arizona Dental Board.
He also went to the local police, who told him there was no criminal case to respond to.
There are no federal laws that prohibit dentists from giving patients their extracted teeth, but best practice states that this should be avoided to minimize the spread of disease.
OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogen Standard considers teeth to be potentially infectious materials and states that they should be treated accordingly.
“We don’t give our adult teeth to others,” said Dr. Barney. ‘The blood on it can transmit blood-borne diseases.
Dr. Ryan Barney refused to donate four teeth after the extraction because there was a potential risk of infection
Vaughan was furious when he heard the dentist had thrown away his teeth and is now considering legal action
“What if he had touched a doorknob, or if someone else had touched the teeth and blood?”
He confirmed that while other patients have made similar requests, he has never made an exception in his 25 years as a dentist.
However, the statement has done little to calm Vaughan, who is now considering legal action if his complaints are not addressed.
“It’s my teeth and it’s my blood,” he said. ‘100% I’m going to file a lawsuit. Justice isn’t perfect, but it’s the best we have.”
Dr. Barney confirmed the disagreement to DailyMail.com and said there was nothing more to add.