Singer’s Career Allegedly Damaged by Dental Malpractice

By Daniel Hawn

Published on January 22, 2007

Dennis L. Reed filed the suit on Dec. 29. In it, he is seeking damages for pain, suffering, mental anguish, medical expenses, and loss of income, claiming he is now unable to perform. The suit names three dentists – Mark Beehner of Belleville, Harvey Breckner of Swansea, Illinois, and Dane Robinson of Tempe, Arizona – as defendants.

In Nov. 2004, Reed sought a replacement bridge from Breckner. Reed claims to have sustained fractured teeth during the procedure. A year later, the bridge allegedly detached, loosening adjacent teeth. Breckner referred Reed to Beehner in March 2005 for repairs and agreed to assume financial responsibility for treatment.

Beehner was allegedly negligent while installing dental implants to replace the damaged teeth. He failed to perform needed bone and gum grafts and also failed to handle the implants with sterile equipment, the suit claims.

Reed allegedly suffered infection, paralysis in his lip and lower jaw, loss of bone and gum tissue, stiffness in his lower lip, facial disfigurement, and paresthesia. He claims the treatment also resulted in the need for bone and gum tissue grafts and extensive restorative dental work.

In June 2005, Reed traveled to see Robinson for additional treatment. Robinson is allegedly negligent for using non-FDA-approved implants, failing to use sterile equipment in handling the implants, and impinging a nerve while placing the implants.

Comment on this article →