Judge orders Houston dentist's license to be revoked

HOUSTON – The Texas Board of Dental Examiners has demanded that a Houston dentist's license be revoked, following an incident involving 4-year-old Neveah Hall, who suffered brain damage after a visit with Dr. Bethaniel Jefferson.

Investigators said Jefferson failed to check Neveah’s oxygen levels for two hours during sedation in her office. At one point, Neveah’s levels dropped to 49.

According to court documents, the dentist used the wrong drug to stop the little girl’s seizures, then waited hours to call for emergency help. Testimony revealed that Jefferson called her pastor several times, but did not call 911 until it was too late.

"Every parent in America must take this as a wake-up call," said Houston lawyer Jim Moriarty. "Every day bad dentists are hurting our children, from improper sedation to overtreatment to Medicaid fraud. Neveah has suffered horrible brain damage. Other children are now dead."

Neveah’s story has been viewed by hundreds of thousands of parents on social media. 

Final action is still pending by the Texas Board of Dental Examiners.