Kelly Buck (Sherman Police Department)
SHERMAN, Texas - A North Texas dentist faces a felony charge after police say she performed surgery on a patient while intoxicated Monday morning.
Dentist arrested for performing surgery while intoxicated
What we know:
Sherman police responded to a dental office in the 2800 block of Loy Lake Road around noon Monday following reports of an impaired dentist. Upon arrival, officers made contact with 36-year-old Kelly Buck.
According to investigators, Buck exhibited visible signs of intoxication after treating a patient at the office. A representative from the dental office told FOX 4 that Buck was scheduled to perform multiple treatments that day.
During the first procedure, an assistant noticed the dentist "did not seem to be herself." Although Buck had only worked at the office a few times prior, staff noted physical symptoms that differed from her previous visits. When the office manager confronted Buck, she reportedly claimed she was "perfectly fine."
Out of caution, the manager instructed the team not to call Buck for any further operative appointments or hygiene exams. Management then contacted police to conduct a field sobriety test.
Buck reportedly failed the sobriety tests and was taken into custody. Office officials confirmed she treated only one patient Monday morning.
She was arrested and charged with performing surgery while intoxicated, a state jail felony. Buck was transported to the Grayson County Jail. The investigation remains ongoing.
Dig deeper:
Investigators determined Buck was not a permanent employee of the dental practice. She was working as a temporary contractor through a large dental staffing agency. The dental office noted that Buck had filled in at the practice before and was invited back because of her previous performance.
The Source: Information in this article comes from Sherman police and the dental office.