August 21, 2003

No laughing matter at dental office

       Sixteen people fell ill Thursday morning as laughing gas leaked from a dentist’s office in White River Township.  Firefighters were called to Library Park Dental, 601 Library Park Blvd., at 9:49 a.m. One patient was taken to St. Francis Hospital Beech Grove because she continued to feel ill even after firefighters gave her oxygen, White River Township Fire Department Lt. Jim Engmark said.  Nitrous oxide had slowly leaked, causing dizziness and headaches among office employees and patients. Nitrous oxide is used to relieve pain and sedate dental patients.  Three people were sent to the immediate care center before firefighters were called. When medics arrived, they set up a triage area because they had so many patients needing treatment, Engmark said. Treatment includes providing oxygen to clear the body of nitrous oxide, Engmark said.  Firefighters set up fans throughout the office to dissipate the fumes, Engmark said. A member of Greenwood’s hazardous materials team used an air monitor to determine the building was safe, but the office remained closed Thursday.  An employee of the company that installed the nitrous oxide system was on the scene Thursday morning, working to determine what caused the leak and how to repair it, Engmark said.  A few patients only suffered from slight headaches and refused treatment.    (reprinted with permission from the Daily Journal)

  

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