Dentist sued for allegedly breaking patient’s jaw

GRETNA – A local dentist is being sued by a patient who claims he broke her jaw while trying to extract a tooth.

Keyoka Davis filed suit against Barton C. Barre DDS and Barre Dental Care Inc. in the 24th Judicial District Court on March 10.

Davis alleges she visited Barre on Sept. 22, 2011 with tooth and jaw pain after hearing a popping noise in her jaw while eating. The plaintiff claims that the defendant diagnosed her as having a fractured root in her tooth and that while trying to repair it he broker her jaw. Davis asserts that although an X-ray taken by Barre at the time showed the jaw fracture, he testified that he did not see it at the time and continued with the tooth extraction.

The plaintiff alleges that following the tooth extraction she went to a local hospital where she was diagnosed with a broken jaw that had to be surgically repaired.

The defendant is accused of failing to properly diagnose, failing to perform further examination, failing to properly review initial X-ray, failing to allow a jaw to heal, failing to refer the plaintiff to an oral surgeon, exacerbating the fracture and failing to take appropriate measures to prevent or lessen the plaintiffs’ injuries.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for physical pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages, medical expenses, lost wages, disability and loss of life cycle.

Davis is represented by Leo J. Palazzo of the Gretna-based Palazzo Law Firm.

The case has been assigned to Division N Judge Stephen D. Enright Jr.

Case no. 736-327.