A North Texas dentist is facing charges after authorities allege she performed a dental procedure on an eight-year-old boy while intoxicated. The incident, which unfolded on Monday, February 16, at a dental office in Sherman, Texas, prompted a 911 call from the child’s father and led to the arrest of 36-year-old Kelly Buck.
According to a search warrant affidavit, a dental technician assisting Buck noticed behavior that led her to believe the dentist was impaired and immediately stopped the procedure—a filling and crowning—midway through, citing concerns for the patient’s safety. The technician’s swift action averted potential harm and the boy’s father subsequently contacted emergency services, initiating a police investigation into the matter of a dentist allegedly operating on a child while intoxicated.
Sherman police responded to the office in the 2800 block of Loy Lake Road shortly after noon on February 16. Upon arrival, officers observed signs of intoxication and administered a standardized field sobriety test, which Buck allegedly failed, KXII reported. She was subsequently arrested and charged with performing surgery while intoxicated, a state jail felony under the Texas Occupations Code.
Concerns Raised by Staff, Prompting Police Intervention
The incident began when staff at Pediatric Dentistry in Sherman raised concerns about Buck’s behavior while she was treating a patient. A press release from the Sherman Police Department confirmed that officers were dispatched to the office following reports that a dentist was potentially intoxicated. Investigators later obtained a warrant to collect a sample of Buck’s blood as part of their investigation, though the results have not yet been publicly released.
Buck was working in a temporary capacity through a staffing agency at the time of the incident, police stated. Sam Boyle of the Sherman Police Department described the case as “very unusual,” according to KXII. The Grayson County Sheriff’s Office has a booking photo of Kelly Buck available to the public.
Dentist Denies Allegations, Cites Lack of Evidence
Kelly Buck has vehemently denied the allegations against her. In an interview with WFAA, she called the accusations “absurd” and stated her intention to “fight this,” expressing concern about the damage to her career. She also claimed she offered to take a breathalyzer test, but officers refused.
Her attorney, Matthew Hamilton, echoed Buck’s denial in a statement to KXII. “Mrs. Buck is not guilty of the charges she was arrested for,” Hamilton said. “She has been a licensed dentist since 2016 and takes treating her patients very seriously. She looks forward to the blood results as it will show that no drugs or alcohol were in her system. I anticipate that will clear her name so she can go back to taking care of her patients.” Hamilton also stated that police searched Buck’s car and found no contraband.
Potential Penalties and Ongoing Investigation
If convicted of performing surgery while intoxicated, Buck faces up to two years in jail and a potential fine. The case highlights the critical importance of patient safety and the responsibility healthcare professionals have to provide care free from impairment. The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners, which oversees the licensing and regulation of dentists in the state, has not yet commented on the case but is likely to review it once the criminal proceedings conclude.
Buck was booked into the Grayson County Jail and subsequently released on a $10,000 bond. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities await the results of the blood sample analysis. The outcome of this analysis will be crucial in determining the next steps in the legal process.
Disclaimer: This article provides information for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and does not constitute legal or medical advice.
The case is scheduled for further proceedings in Grayson County court. Updates will be provided as they become available. We encourage readers to share their thoughts and reactions in the comments below.
