Widow of Patient Who Died During Dental Procedure Is Passed Over for Dental Board

When Shital Patel’s husband, Hemant Patel, MD, a respected cardiologist, died following a routine dental implant procedure, she never imagined her grief would propel her into a battle for systemic reform. But nearly 5 years later, her journey from widow to patient advocate continues, despite being denied a seat at the table she hoped to change.

According to reporting by The Assembly (JF Still), in 2020, the 53-year-old Dr. Patel underwent implant surgery at the Wilmington, North Carolina office of a board-certified oral maxillofacial surgeon. Ms. Patel felt something was wrong when the procedure went longer than the planned 20 minutes. Paramedics arrived and resuscitated Dr. Patel but he had been without oxygen for too long. He died 3 days later.

Upon investigation, it was found that Dr. Patel’s oxygen levels had been extremely low for 20 minutes while under deep sedation. State records later showed the dental team had not attempted CPR, nor other life-saving measures. The oral surgeon later surrendered his license amid revelations of anesthesia errors and drug violations. Yet, the deeper issue, Ms. Patel realized, wasn’t just about one provider, it was about the system that allowed it to happen.

Unlike hospitals, where a second licensed professional is required to monitor vitals during sedation, North Carolina allows the operating dentist to oversee deep sedation without an independent, qualified anesthesia provider. Critics call it a dangerous gap in care.

Ms. Patel, a travel agent with no medical training, suddenly became a fierce advocate for changing the rules. She joined a coalition of physicians and patient advocates to push for reforms, culminating in updates to sedation guidelines. But the most symbolic moment came in 2023 when Governor Roy Cooper’s office emailed her: she had been selected as the next consumer representative on the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners.

The appointment seemed like a natural step. As a grieving widow turned public safety advocate, Ms. Patel hoped to lend a crucial voice to the board’s policymaking. She filed her disclosures, cleared ethics checks, and waited for the formal announcement, but she did not hear anything else.

Months later, after new Governor Josh Stein took office, Ms. Patel learned from a reporter at The Assembly that someone else had been appointed: a retired judge who was the widow of a dentist. No explanation was offered. However, behind closed doors, board members had texted each other with concern about Ms. Patel’s potential appointment.

What Ms. Patel wanted, in her own words, was “common sense.” Specifically, she is still fighting to require that a second, trained anesthesia provider be present during deep sedation in all dental procedures — a standard already common in other medical fields. But organized dentistry in North Carolina has pushed back, citing cost and access concerns.

Her exclusion from the board reignited criticism of its structure. Six of its eight members are dental professionals elected by their peers; a setup critics say fosters protectionism and discourages independent oversight. Legislative efforts to reform the board’s makeup are now underway. A bill introduced this spring would give more appointment power to the governor and state lawmakers while expanding the number of public nondental board members.

As for her own role? Ms. Patel remains undeterred. She continues to meet with lawmakers, track sedation-related deaths, and push for reforms. Click here to read more.