Clinic Where Boy, 4, Died Changes Name

A dental clinic where a 4-year-old boy died last month is changing its name.

Workmen on Thursday removed the large letters saying “Megdal” from the side of the building at 17th and Bristol streets, leaving just the words “Dental Clinic.”

A woman who answered the phone at the office said the name was being changed to Dental Care Inc.

An investigator for the state Board of Dental Examiners said the board had been informed that the names of clinics set up by Philip Megdal in Mission Viejo, Stanton, Long Beach, Norwalk, Lawndale, La Habra, Bellflower and West Covina also are being changed.

Supervising investigator John Hirai said an investigation will continue into how founder Philip Megdal could have spent the required 50% of his time at each clinic. Police said their investigation of the boy’s death also continues.

Philip Megdal and other administrators did not return phone calls, but a woman answering the phone at the clinic said, “We’re still open, we’re just changing our name.”

Megdal said in previous interviews that he is not the owner of the clinics bearing his name, merely the owner of the buildings.

Javier Villa died hours after being taken to the clinic Aug. 4 to have eight cavities filled. Police and state investigators are awaiting final toxicology reports in connection with the death. The supervising dentist and other employees gave conflicting reports to investigators on the amount of sedatives given to the boy.