Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Oral Surgeon Dr. Heny Mazorow Under Investigation for Teen's Death Agrees to Halt Practicing Dentistry



Marissa Kingery

At least temporarily anyway.
Dr. Henry Mazorow, the 80-year-old oral surgeon under investigation in connection with the death of 13-year-old patient Marissa Kingery, has agreed to stop practicing — at least on a temporary basis, according to a representative of the Ohio State Dental Board.

Mazorow has not seen patients since the medical emergency involving Marissa three weeks ago, according to Lili C. Reitz, the dental board’s executive director.

“He’s agreed not to see patients for the time being,” Reitz said.

Reitz said that the board had been informed of the earlier death of 57-year-old Rosemary T. Johnson, who died Oct. 21, 1997, while having six teeth removed by Mazorow.

She said no disciplinary action was taken against Mazorow, who has been practicing since 1956, after Johnson had a reaction to the halothane anesthetic and suffered a fatal cardiac arrhythmia.

“It was reported, but the board did not take any formal action as a result,” Reitz said.

Court documents in the civil suit filed by Johnson’s family indicate that two expert witnesses, an oral surgeon and an anesthesiologist, supported the contention that Mazorow violated certain standards of care. The suit was settled for $550,000, records show.
This is probably for the best. Without judging the case, which the State board of dentistry will do, I would think that the oral surgeon is most probably beside himself with grief over the situation.

Whether the 80 year old oral surgeon resumes practice is anyone's guess.

But, I doubt it.