DEA Investigates Illinois Dentist in Sedation Death Case
By Daniel Hawn
Published on December 02, 2006
Diamond Brownridge was administered anesthesia on Sept. 23 in Dr. Hicham Riba’s Little Village office. Brownridge became comatose in the dental chair and died four days later at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago.
According to Cook County medical examiner's office, Brownridge died from a lack of oxygen caused by anesthesia.
Riba’s license was temporarily suspended in late September.
The DEA is looking into Riba’s inventory of controlled substances, particularly those related to sedation, as well as his administrative record-keeping. Violations in either area could result in the revocation of his DEA registration.
The Illinois Department of Professional Regulation is working in tandem with the DEA in its investigation.
At a state-licensing hearing in October, testimony by Riba’s assistant revealed that Brownridge had been administered three doses of Valium. According to the anesthesia specialist at the trial, that dosage was too much for a child weighing 35 pounds.
Riba is accused by the state of gross malpractice, professional incompetence, and making false statements. He faces permanent loss of his license and fines of up to $40,000.
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