Number Of Sick Patients From Anaheim Dental Clinic Continues To Grow

ANAHEIM (CBSLA.com)  — As the number of sick patients from Children's Dental Group of Anaheim continues to grow, Orange County Supervisor Todd Spitzer is demanding that a county emergency be declared for the kids who have been hospitalized or are facing serious infections.

"If the allegations that their instruments weren't clean or system didn't prevent this bacterial infection are true, they should never be able to operate in the state of California again," Spitzer said.

Spitzer says state and federal authorities should immediately investigate. Officials have been told that as many as 800 children are at risk after getting baby root canals at Children's Dental since March. Many of the children are Denti Cal patients. Some have needed surgery and one young girl had part of her jaw removed.

Spitzer is angry that the families of sick kids were referred back to the same clinic to be re-examined for any signs of infection. As part of the emergency declaration, he wants all 800 seen right away by an independent expert.

The Orange County hospital where dozens of the dental patients have been treated is now asking the county for $150,000 dollars to help treat the sick kids with a drug not commonly used on children.

The children's dental group released this statement:

"We continue to follow the extensive communication and examination process worked out with the Orange County health care agency for contacting our patients -- letting them know what has occurred, and scheduling them for x-rays and examinations. this plan includes any possible cases of infection being seen by an independent clinical specialist."