More Lawsuits Filed Against Children's Dental Group Of Anaheim

ORANGE (CBSLA.com) —  Seven more children have been hospitalized who were patients of Children's Dental Group of Anaheim where health officials say the clinic's contaminated water supply infected dozens and perhaps hundreds of kids. A total of 77 boys and girls have now been treated for a resistant bacteria.

Yaretzy Ramirez is one of the latest to be admitted to Children's Hospital of Orange County.

Doctors had to pull nine of Ramirez's adult teeth and the bacteria has spread to her lungs.

"She could fracture her gums if she bites on something hard," said Ramirez's mother Leonor Oliver. "If she does, they'll have to put a titanium plate in her, and she's just 5."

In this latest case, the bacteria was just discovered although Ramirez had several root canals and crowns done at Children's Dental Group seven months ago.

Claremont attorney Alexander Napolin is now representing more than two dozen patients from the Anaheim clinic. Three more lawsuits were filed Monday. Napolin came to Children's Dental Group searching for medical records. He's been told the clinic will have them delivered in a few days.

This same lawyer has also taken the case of a 2-year-old who is at CHOC and is very sick with a serious bacterial infection after getting several root canals. Doctors have shared with his parents that the toddler will lose his jaw.  He cannot eat during a challenging medical situation that has needed experts to be flown in to help.

"We provide this service and do this work because we care for children, and we regret that any patient had complications," Children's Dental Group said in a statement.

The CEO of the clinic says a new water system has been installed with enhanced protective measures.

State officials are also investigating the clinic.