A dentist in Texas has been apprehended for allegedly conducting surgery on a child while under the influence of alcohol, according to local authorities.
Kelly Buck, age 36, was arrested on Monday in Sherman, a town located roughly an hour from Dallas. The Sherman Police Department reported receiving a call around noon about Buck’s suspected intoxication while treating patients.
Working as a temporary contractor at Pediatric Dentistry of Sherman, Buck reportedly showed clear signs of being intoxicated when law enforcement arrived, as stated by Sherman Police Lieutenant Sam Boyle to KXII.
The Lieutenant further revealed that Buck did not pass a field sobriety test and had already treated one patient prior to her arrest.
Following Buck’s detention, the dental practice issued a statement on Facebook to clarify the situation.
The practice explained that Buck was a temporary dental professional hired through Cloud Dentistry, a service that connects providers with dental practices.
She worked at the location in the past ‘and performed well enough to be invited back,’ the dental office said.
During her first treatment of the day a registered dental assistant quickly ‘noticed the dentist did not seem to be herself’ and relayed that to the office manager, who then confronted Buck, per the statement.
Kelly Buck, a 36-year-old dentist, was arrested on Monday after she allegedly operated on a child while under the influence
Buck had treated one patient at Pediatric Dentistry of Sherman (pictured) before she was arrested, police said
Although Buck told them ‘she was perfectly fine,’ the manager decided not to have her operate or conduct any hygiene exams, it added.
After reaching out to her fellow colleagues about the issue, she decided to call 911 so a sobriety test could be conducted.
‘We are deeply saddened and troubled over the situation, and we are extremely concerned that this negatively impacted a valued patient,’ the practice said.
The business did not disclose the name of the patient or their guardian, but did add that they are ‘deeply grateful’ to the parent of the child ‘who was directly involved’.
‘His character and cooperation are greatly appreciated,’ the business stated.
Buck was transported to Grayson County Jail before posting a $10,000 bond on Tuesday, according to jail records reviewed by the Daily Mail.
Authorities obtained a search warrant for a specimen of her blood as part of the ongoing investigation.
Buck, who has been a licensed dentist in Texas since 2016, has denied the allegations against her.
Buck, who has been a licensed dentist in Texas since 2016, denied the allegations against her through her attorney
She has a clean disciplinary file, according to professional records seen by the Daily Mail.
‘Mrs. Buck is not guilty of the charges she was arrested for. She has been a licensed dentist since 2016 and takes treating her patients very seriously,’ her lawyer, Matthew Hamilton with Jarvis & Hamilton Law Firm, said.
‘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 patient.’
This is not Buck’s first brush with the law, as she was previously arrested in 2006 on a drug possession charge according to online records.
She was also charged with two traffic violations, one in 2021 and another in 2023, according to public records.
Boyle said he and his department are ‘thankful’ they were informed when they were about Buck’s alleged condition.
Following her arrest, Pediatric Dentistry of Sherman (pictured) said Buck was hired as a contractor through Cloud Dentistry – a platform that matched providers with practitioners. She worked at the location in the past ‘and performed well enough to be invited back’
‘Very serious, especially if you were the patient or the victim in this case and for the whole practice as well,’ he said.
‘So we’re thankful that we were notified and we’re able to prevent a dangerous situation from continuing.’
The investigation into her alleged crime remains underway, police said.
Cloud Dentistry said it cannot comment on the alleged conduct as its currently under investigation but confirmed Buck’s account has been suspended pending the outcome.
‘Cloud Dentistry is a matching platform and does not engage in the practice of dentistry,’ a spokesman said.
‘Dental professionals are independent contractors on the Cloud Dentistry platform and are responsible for their own malpractice insurance and patient care.
‘All Cloud Dentistry users, including the user in question, have passed a background check.’
The Daily Mail contacted Hamilton and Pediatric Dentistry of Sherman for comment.
