A Dentist's Carelessness Leads to Months of Medical Procedures

In 2022, Ron Dinsdale went to his dentist for teeth implants when the dentist dropped a small wrench and screw down his throat. Ron began choking and while he was able to retrieve the small screw, he unfortunately swallowed the wrench. The dentist, in response, was seemingly more irritated at Ron for swallowing his tool rather than concerned about his health.  

Ron is a Vietnam veteran who travels from Huxley, Iowa to Des Moines to visit the Veterans’ Affairs Medical Center for his health care needs. Over the course of 2 months, Ron underwent several x-rays and CT scans to locate the wrench, more medical procedures and expenses on top of the $10,000 implants he went in to receive. He was referred to a surgeon to ensure it was not embedded in his colon. Fortunately, the tool was able to be retrieved through a colonoscopy.  

When Ron informed the dentist that the tool was finally recovered, he was taken aback by the lack of care or accountability.  

“I just couldn’t believe he had no concern about all these x-rays I had to have. He didn’t know I was a veteran. He didn’t know I was able to get those x-rays for free…He just didn’t seem to have any personal concern as to my well-being.”  

Fortunately, Ron was able to recover from this incident. As a talented artist, Ron kept the tool for memorabilia in hopes of incorporating the tool into a piece of art.