Father pushes for new law after son dies during dental procedure

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Friday, April 1, 2016
This image shows 6-year-old Caleb Sear who died during a dental procedure last year.
This image shows 6-year-old Caleb Sears who died during a dental procedure last year.
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The death of a six-year-old boy may prompt a change in California law.

The boy's father, Tim Sears, is leading the fight for Caleb's Law. It would require oral surgeons to inform parents of an increased risk when general anesthesia is used without the help of an anesthesiologist.

Caleb died last year while getting a tooth extracted. There was no anesthesiologist present.

"Anesthesiologists receive rigorous training. And to think that somebody can perform all those to the same level while performing a surgical procedure seems ridiculous to me," Sears said.

The bill would also require the collection of data on deaths and injuries from dental anesthesia.

The bill goes before a state assembly committee next Tuesday The California Dental Association says it supports a review on the use of anesthesia.