A mum has died after suffering brain damage while at a celebrity dental clinic with clients including Kim Kardashian.
Tina Owens, 60, was undergoing anesthesia for a full mouth with crowns and veneers at Kevin Sands’ office in Beverly Hills, California, when her vital signs suddenly worsened.
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The mum-of-three was rushed to hospital on February 20, 2019, but tragically died days later after suffering cardiac arrest and traumatic brain injury due to lack of oxygen.
Dental anesthetist Dr Hadi Nassar – who worked at the clinic – now faces having his license revoked over allegations of gross negligence over Tina’s death.
Dr Sands, who owns the practice, is believed to be one of the ten richest plastic surgeons in the world with an estimated fortune of $20m (£16m).
His clients include Miley Cyrus, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Justin Bieber, Kanye West and Britney Spears.
And the luxury clinic was featured in Netflix’s Celebrity Plastic Surgeons of Beverly Hills.
Tina’s heartbroken daughter Rachel Owens spoke of the upheaval her family faced as her mother was taken to hospital from the doctor’s office.
She told The Sun: “That day brought the most excruciating pain I have ever known – and I hope I will ever know.
“It’s extremely difficult to talk about, but if it helps another family not have to go through what my family did, it’s worth it.
“In my opinion, what happened in that office should never have happened.”
Rachael said Tina, who founded professional hair extension business Halocouture, had traveled to the clinic with her two sisters and was being treated when she went into cardiac arrest.
He said: “While my aunt was sitting at the desk, she heard rustling and commotion.
“Then the sound of sirens filled the office. My aunt heard from the other room a man say, “He has no pulse, he’s not breathing.”
“My aunt jumped out of her chair, knelt on the ground and began to pray with my other aunt, who also attended that day for support.”
Tina was taken to Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles and spent 11 days in intensive care before tragically passing away on March 3, 2019.
Rachael added: “It was clear from meeting the neurologists that her brain had been deprived of oxygen for too long.
“It’s very hard to come to terms with the fact that I only had 22 years with her on this earth and my twin younger brothers only 20.
“My mom was a shining light. Everyone noticed her because she was bold, but also kind.
“She was so happy, outgoing, fun, thoughtful, generous, a leader, an entrepreneur – the list could go on and on.
“She meant everything to our family and so many people – it’s hard not to have her here, but she was so happy and excited about life that we can’t help but have the same attitude.”
That day brought the most excruciating pain I have ever known – and hope I will ever know
Rachel Owens
Dr. Nassar – who administered anesthesia to Tina – is being investigated by the California Dental Board.
He faces charges of incompetence, repeated acts of negligence and unprofessional conduct for actions taken before and during Tina’s procedure, the documents show.
A spokesperson for the California Department of Consumer Affairs told the Sun, “The Board is seeking the revocation or suspension of Dr. Nassar’s dental license and general anesthesia license.”
The board alleges that Dr. Nassar did not provide an “accurate and complete” medical history for Tina.
He is also accused of failing to obtain written informed consent from Tina before administering anesthesia.
The board alleges Dr. Nassar then failed to document Tina’s “complete and accurate monitoring” during the delivery of the anesthetic.
He claimed that between 10.45am and 10.55am, about an hour after Dr Nassar started the intravenous anaesthesia, Tina’s blood pressure and pulse readings “seemed to drop”.
He then asked the dental assistant to stop his work as Tina had suffered a “sudden and significant deterioration in vital signs”, he said.
Dr. Nassar is then accused of failing to provide CPR quickly enough within minutes of Tina’s vital signs failing.
He also allegedly delegated CPR to a dental assistant with “little to no clinical experience” despite having “extensive training” himself.
The board claims these factors are “attributable to the patient’s anoxic brain injury and cardiac arrest.”
Paramedics arrived around 11 a.m. and continued resuscitation efforts while rushing Tina to the hospital, according to documents.
But after a “prolonged course of intensive care”, she was diagnosed with traumatic brain injury and life support was taken off before she died on March 3.
A hearing is scheduled for today at the Office of Administrative Hearings.
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Meanwhile, Tina’s devastated husband of 27 years, Brent, filed a civil lawsuit against Dr Sands and Dr Nassar, accusing them of wrongful death by medical negligence, fraud and battery, which has since been settled.
Court documents as part of the dismissed lawsuit since seen by The Sun allege: “The defendants performed cosmetic dental surgery on a deceased person under anesthesia for the procedure in question.
“Furthermore, the defendants negligently performed the said dental procedure which led to the death of the deceased.
“The defendants failed to comply with applicable standards of care in the provision of dental care and treatment to the decedent, both during and after the dental procedure, which resulted in the decedent’s death.”
Further documents filed in Spring Street Magistrates’ Court by Mr Owens’ lawyer also accused the surgery of possibly forging Tina’s signature to consent to being anaesthetised.
It states: “The plaintiff learned that the decedent, his wife, had not signed or fraudulently signed the consent form, or signed under anesthesia, for the procedures that led to her death.
“Without the decedent’s actual signature on the consent form, the surgery performed by the defendants was unauthorized and fraudulent.”
The case was dismissed in 2021, however, after it was resolved through a confidential settlement with undisclosed terms.
Dr. Sands and Dr. Nassar have denied all allegations made against them in the civil complaint.
Dr. Sands has been “the top cosmetic dentist of choice for some of the biggest names in entertainment for more than 15 years,” according to his website.
At his practice, porcelain veneers cost an average of $2,000 (£1,660) to $5,000 (£4,150) each.
Porcelain crowns, meanwhile, typically cost between $1,000 (£830) and $3,000 (£2,490) per crown.
His clinic is located in the heart of Beverly Hills, surrounded by designer stores such as Gucci, Cartier and Louis Vuitton.
The cosmetic dentist also has an office in Dubai.
According to its website, its clinics offer “star-quality treatment” in a “state-of-the-art service.”
He adds, “Our office is focused on providing you with a comfortable experience where you can relax knowing that your every dental need is being met.
“Dr. Sands and his outstanding team provide a thoughtful VIP experience every time you visit our office.
“When you choose our office, you can enjoy the luxurious, comfortable atmosphere we’ve cultivated while receiving world-class dental treatment.”
Dr Sands and Dr Nassar did not respond to the Sun’s request for comment.
