by Sherman, Texas — A North Texas dentist has been arrested and charged after authorities say a dental procedure on a child was stopped when staff suspected the dentist was intoxicated.
Kelly Buck, 36, was taken into custody Monday after officers with the Sherman Police Department responded to a dental office in the 2800 block of Loy Lake Road.
Police said they were dispatched at 12:04 p.m. on Feb. 16 following a report that a dentist might be intoxicated while treating a patient.
Procedure Stopped Midway
According to a search warrant affidavit obtained by local station WFAA, Buck was performing a filling and crowning procedure on an 8-year-old boy when a dental technician assisting her became concerned.
The affidavit states the technician observed behavior that led her to believe Buck was impaired and “stopped the surgery mid-course due to the risk that Buck’s intoxication presented to the patient.”
The boy’s father called 911, according to the affidavit.
Officers Report Signs of Impairment
When officers arrived at the office, they met with Buck and reported observing “signs of intoxication,” according to a police press release.
The affidavit indicates that an officer administered a standardized field sobriety test and noted several indicators, including slurred speech and dilated pupils.
Buck was arrested for performing surgery while intoxicated, which is classified as a state jail felony under the Texas Occupations Code.
Dentist Denies Allegations
In a phone interview, Buck denied the allegations.
“This is absurd. I plan on fighting this. In the meantime, it’s doing irreparable damage to my career,” she told the station.
According to the affidavit, Buck declined to consent to a voluntary blood draw following her arrest. She told that she offered to take a breathalyzer test but said officers refused.
Police later obtained a warrant for blood testing to determine whether any intoxicating substances were present.
Attorney Confident in Test Results
Buck’s attorney, Matt Hamilton, stated that he is confident the blood test results will show “zero drugs or alcohol in her system.”
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He also said Buck allowed officers to search her vehicle and that no contraband was discovered.
“She looks forward to clearing her name and getting this behind her,” Hamilton said.
Employment Status and Bond
Sherman police said their investigation determined that Buck was not a permanent employee of the dental office. Instead, she was reportedly working in a temporary capacity through a staffing agency at the time of the incident.
Buck was booked into the Grayson County Jail. Jail records show her bond was set at $10,000, and she was released Tuesday after posting bail.
According to state records, Buck has been licensed to practice dentistry in Texas since 2016 and has no publicly available disciplinary history.
The case remains under investigation as authorities await blood test results.
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