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Dentist License Suspended Pending Abuse Charges

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A Superior Court judge has ruled that a Pasadena pediatric dentist cannot see patients while facing child abuse charges alleging that she over-sedated five youths.

Drueciel Ford’s license to practice dentistry will remain suspended at least until a March 2 preliminary hearing, Pasadena Superior Court Judge Mary Thornton House decided.

Ford, 49, is charged with 14 criminal counts, including child abuse, dissuading a witness and obstructing an emergency medical technician.

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Prosecutors allege that she gave five patients excessive doses of the sedative chloral hydrate while treating them, including a 15-year-old girl who was left brain damaged. Ford earlier this month pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The state Board of Dental Examiners had requested Ford’s license be suspended as a condition of her $380,000 bail.

Police began investigating Ford last March after the 15-year-old girl almost died under sedation, Pasadena Police Lt. Keith Jones said.

Police and prosecutors say Ford failed to tell paramedics and police that two other children were sedated in another room.

Authorities allege Ford’s motive was financial and by sedating the children she was able to work more quickly and see more patients. Thornton’s ruling was made on Tuesday.

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