A Plano dentist is facing a felony charge after staff at a Sherman pediatric clinic told police she seemed impaired in the middle of a procedure on a young patient, prompting them to cut the work short and call for help.
What police say
Sherman officers were dispatched around noon to a clinic in the 2800 block of Loy Lake Road, where staff had raised alarms about 36-year-old dentist Kelly Buck. After speaking with her, officers "observed signs of intoxication," according to a police news release reported by The Dallas Morning News. Investigators say Buck did not pass field sobriety tests and was arrested on a charge of performing surgery while intoxicated, which is a state jail felony. She was booked into the Grayson County Jail and later released on a $10,000 bond, officials said.
Affidavit and patient details
A search-warrant affidavit reviewed by WFAA states Buck had been performing a filling and crowning on an 8-year-old boy when a registered dental assistant stopped the procedure and the child’s father dialed 911, as reported by Yahoo. Officers then obtained a warrant for a blood specimen, and the criminal investigation division is continuing to gather evidence, local reporting indicates.
Staffing and clinic response
The practice later confirmed that Buck was working as a temporary dentist arranged through a staffing platform and described the incident as a "difficult situation" in a letter to families, according to NBC DFW. Cloud Dentistry, the placement service named by the clinic, told the station that Buck has been suspended from its platform while a more extensive review is conducted.
Legal implications
Under Texas law, performing surgery while intoxicated is classified as a state jail felony. A conviction can bring up to two years in a state jail, and the statute includes only a narrow affirmative defense for true emergency situations. Texas Occupations Code section 165.1535 spells out both the offense and the limited emergency exception.
License record and next steps
Reporters who reviewed state licensing records found that Buck has been licensed to practice in Texas since 2016 and holds authorization for minimal sedation, with no prior disciplinary actions listed, per NBC DFW. Authorities say the investigation remains active. Buck’s attorney has said that blood test results will clear her and that those findings will shape any future administrative or criminal action.
What the clinic told patients
Pediatric Dentistry of Sherman told families that staff took "precautionary steps" as soon as the assistant voiced concerns and asked parents to contact the office directly with questions. The practice posted a notice on social media and lists its Loy Lake Road address on its website. Pediatric Dentistry of Sherman has directed patients to reach out to the office for updates.
What's next
According to officials, the case will hinge on forensic results, including the bloodwork, and on interviews with witnesses. The Grayson County prosecutor will ultimately decide whether to pursue the state jail felony charge. Local outlets report that Sherman police are treating the allegations as a serious matter and have asked anyone with direct information about the incident to contact the department, as reported by FOX 4.
