1 /5 Dawn Dawson: If you have concerns, Dr. Hoffman will not take them seriously. If Dr. Hoffman harms you like he did me you can expect Dr. Hoffman to delay talking with you and when he does it will be brief. Dr. Hoffman will not hold himself accountable for any harm he has caused.
Below is a letter I wrote to Dr. Hoffman several months ago. I never received a response from Dr. Hoffman.
Dear Dr. Hoffman,
I am working with another dentist.
Below is an update since our last conversation in December 2023.
Im still experiencing numbness and tingling throughout my entire body. Some days are more intense than others.
My lips and chin are still numb and at the same time I have pain.
I can barely feel my husbands kiss, and at the same time I experience soreness.
Its difficult to chew because all of my teeth seem to be sensitive and sore.
Ive been proactive with detox, meditation, sound healing and prayers.
Its been very scary for myself, my family and my friends since the initial onset after being given the local anesthetic.
My intention for the following is for both of us to learn from this experience.
During our phone conversation in December 2023, the point that you were making was that it was A-typical reaction I was experiencing. I agreed. I noticed that you were not taking responsibility for your part in my injury. I also heard that you wanted me to see an allergist. I thought it would have been appropriate for you to make that recommendation prior to treatment. You did suggest and we talked about laser treatment. I mentioned clove oil, and I believe you said that that could work.
Do you know what has happened and why my lips and chin are numb and my entire mouth is very sensitive and sore? You mentioned that injections of local anesthesia are to only numb the tissue and hopefully not enter the bloodstream. Are my symptoms an indication that the local anesthetic might have gotten into the bloodstream?
I was hoping for a more proactive and shared responsibility with you of the outcome going forward. A collaboration for healing and a plan on how to move forward to safely get the dental treatment that I needed. I have not heard from you regarding checking in on how I’m doing. I have not received any help from you in terms of researched information around how to heal.
Dr. Hoffman, I know that you had no intention of harm and your carelessness did permanently harm me.
Dr. Hoffman, did you happen to notice on my patient intake form that I stated that I was very sensitive to medication / drugs and that I couldnt take anesthesia? I also stated my experience with fentanyl and how it created peripheral nerve damage during our in person conversations and on my initial call to your office. On the day of my cleaning, again I said to you that I was very concerned and very sensitive to medication, and was worried about the local aesthetic being used. We talked briefly about types of local aesthetics and what types that have been used through the years. I heard from you that it should be fine. On the day of treatment, again I brought up my concerns about using local anesthetic. Again, I heard from you, It should be fine.
I believe with all the red flags I was waiving, that having a meeting about the medication, concerns and collaborating on how to move forward safely wouldve been appropriate before treatment, dont you?
When I showed concern about the cons of the crown you said “of course”. I have never been through anything like this, and I had no idea. I felt unsupported by you.
I truly hope you will handle difficult situations with your patients much better than what I experienced.
Sincerely,
Dawn Dawson
