Children’s Dental Group of Anaheim was ordered to cease use of the facility’s on-site water system Thursday after lab tests confirmed it contained bacteria similar to the one that caused at least one child to be hospitalized.
The Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA) began investigating the dental office after it found children developed serious bacterial infections following routine pulpotomies, or “baby root canals.” Although only one case of hospitalization is confirmed to be linked to the center, officials said another nine are likely related.
OCHCA head Eric Handler said he would require the facility to completely replace its water system to remove the threat of infection before it can reopen.
“I am issuing this order to protect the health of the dental office patients,” he said.
Handler said the order would not be lifted until Children’s Dental Group replaced all potentially contaminated equipment and had it re-inspected.
