GREENSBORO, N.C. — Former patients of Patterson Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in High Point are speaking out. The North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners revoked the license of Shawana Patterson, D.D.S. after the Board found her actions led or contributed to the death of two patients.
The Board issued its decision in January 2019, effectively revoking Dr. Patterson's license to practice dentistry in the state and also her general anesthesia permit. The report said Patterson ignored the two patients' medical histories and gave them anesthesia.
It says the two patients became unresponsive and later died in a hospital; one from brain damage and the other from a heart attack.
Prior to the board's action, several former patients had complained to the Better Business Bureau and expressed their concerns about Dr. Patterson's dental practice in online reviews.
"It was beyond ridiculous the way she treated people I mean it was horrible," said Leia Sluder, a Greensboro resident who was referred to Dr. Patterson for oral surgery done.
Sluder says she was traumatized by the experience which included a 3-hour wait, unattended, after anesthesia followed by what she said was unprofessional treatment.
"Basically she jabbed my arm with the needle to give me more anesthesia and so finally I was knocked out and then the only thing I remembered after that was my mom freaking out," added Sluder who said she was wheeled out into the van still very sedated.
"It could've been me. I was scared to death when I was there. I was in so much pain for so long but I was desperate I didn't really have any other choice but to go there."
Sluder said she had no other option because that's one of a few places that would accept Medicaid. She's not the only one sharing their experience several folks did on social media.
Sluder's primary dentist did give her a complaint form to file against Patterson but Sluder never did
"Knowing what I know now I would've definitely filed the complaint in a heartbeat. I just thought it was just one incident that she was just having a bad day. I just didn't follow through with it, which now I wish I would have because nobody deserves the treatment that I received," added Sluder.
WFMY News 2 has reached out to Dr. Patterson for comment and haven't heard back.
If you want to file a complaint with the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners, you can find the form online.
You can also check the status of your own dentist's license online.