State suspends dentist's license

Cites 'imminent danger' in practices after 5-year-old died

The state suspended the dental license of Hicham Riba on Friday -- two days after 5-year-old patient Diamond Brownridge died -- calling his practices an "imminent danger to the public."

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation said Riba failed to properly monitor Diamond's blood pressure, pulse and respiration during a visit last weekend and recorded that she was "alert and responsive" even though her mother found her in a comatose state.

Riba -- who gave Diamond several medications, including two intravenous doses of Valium -- didn't notice Diamond's condition until her mother, Ommettress Travis, alerted him at 10:45 a.m. on Sept. 23, according to the department.

However, Riba's records state that Diamond was "alert and responsive" and "ambulatory" when she was discharged at 10:33 a.m., the agency said.

In addition, the agency's complaint said the radiographs taken of the girl's teeth at the Little Village dental office were "not of diagnosable quality."

"The public interest, safety, and welfare imperatively require immediate emergency action, in that respondent's conduct as described hereinabove demonstrates a likelihood that respondent will engage in similar unlawful and inappropriate conduct and that such conduct poses an imminent danger to the public," the complaint said.

Travis took her daughter to the clinic at 3915 W. 26th to have two cavities filled and caps placed on her lower front teeth. Riba intravenously gave Diamond diazepam or Valium twice -- a 1.3-milliliter dose followed up with a 1.2-milliliter dose -- within a five-minute period, the complaint said.

He also gave her "7.5 milligram of an oral Valium, nitrous oxide-oxygen 3:3; .25 milliliter of IV atropine; .25 milliliter IV Talwin; 1.3 milliliter Midazolam and 2 carpules of 2 percent lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine" within a 90-minute time frame, the complaint said.

The drugs cited in the report are generally designed to reduce anxiety, relieve pain, induce sleepiness, reduce nasal and mouth secretions, narrow blood vessels and open airways, according to consumer medical references.

The state did not say whether the dosages were appropriate for the 35-pound kindergartner. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry says sedation is safe when administered by trained dentists who follow professional guidelines. Dentists say sedation poses fewer risks than using sharp dental instruments in the mouth of a frightened and squirming child.

Riba has a clean disciplinary history and has been in practice since 1997, records show.

The 40-year-old dentist from Addison faces up to $10,000 in fines for each of the four violations he faces, including false or fraudulent representations, professional incompetence and gross malpractice, according to the complaint.

The suspension takes effect immediately pending a hearing, department spokeswoman Susan Hofer said. Riba is scheduled to appear at an administrative hearing Oct. 13, she said.

Riba said in a statement he was aware of the disciplinary action, which was taken after investigators interviewed personnel at Riba's clinic and Children's Memorial Hospital, where Diamond died Wednesday. An autopsy found her death was caused by a lack of oxygen from the anesthesia.

"Diamond's loss is tragic," Riba said. "As we have stated before, we have fully cooperated with the investigation and will continue to do so."

Travis, who had expressed sympathy for Riba earlier in the week, could not be reached for comment Friday night.

Diamond's funeral services are pending, but a memorial for her is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the House of Hope, 752 E 114th.

rhussain@suntimes.com