by Sherman, Texas — A North Texas dentist is facing a state jail felony charge after police say she allegedly performed a dental procedure on a child while intoxicated at a pediatric dental office.
According to the Sherman Police Department, officers responded around noon on Feb. 16 to Pediatric Dentistry of Sherman following reports from staff members who were concerned about a dentist’s behavior while treating a young patient.
Authorities say the situation unfolded inside the clinic as the dentist was in the middle of working on an 8-year-old boy.
Police Response and Arrest
When officers arrived at the office, they reportedly observed signs of intoxication and conducted a field sobriety test. Local outlets including KXII and WFAA reported that the dentist, identified as 36-year-old Kelly Buck, allegedly failed the sobriety test.
She was subsequently arrested and charged with performing surgery while intoxicated, which is classified as a state jail felony under the Texas Occupations Code.
Police confirmed that Buck had treated at least one patient prior to their arrival at the clinic.
Investigators later obtained a warrant for a blood specimen as part of the ongoing investigation.
Dental Technician Halts Procedure
According to a search warrant affidavit obtained by WFAA, Buck was performing a filling and crown procedure on the child when a dental technician assisting her became concerned.
The technician allegedly observed behavior that led her to believe the dentist was intoxicated and made the decision to stop the procedure mid-course.
The child’s father then called 911 after the procedure was halted.
The intervention by the dental staff member may have prevented further complications during the treatment, authorities indicated.
Attorney Denies Allegations
Buck has denied the accusations. Her attorney, Matthew Hamilton of Jarvis & Hamilton Law Firm, issued a statement defending her.
“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.”
Hamilton further stated that Buck looks forward to the blood test results, which he believes will show no drugs or alcohol were present in her system.
Buck also told that she offered to take a breathalyzer test but claims officers refused. Her attorney added that she consented to a search of her vehicle and that no contraband was found.
Professional Background and Legal Consequences
Records show Buck has been licensed in Texas since 2016 and has no publicly available disciplinary history. At the time of the incident, police said she was working in a temporary capacity through a staffing agency.
Sherman Police Lt. Sam Boyle described the case as highly unusual.
“It’s definitely a very unusual case.”
Buck was booked into the Grayson County Jail and later released after posting a $10,000 bond. If convicted, she could face up to two years in state jail under Texas law.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities await the results of the blood test.
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