Woman afraid of dentists counter-sues one

CHARLESTON - A woman with a fear of dentistry has counter-sued her dentist, who claims she did not pay her bill.

Donna Runion, though, claims Dr. Robert Simpson performed procedures that she unknowingly approved while she was in a sedative-produced haze.

Simpson says in a lawsuit transferred March 30 from magistrate court to Kanawha Circuit Court that Runion owes him $2,252.81 for additional services rendered during a general cleaning July 5.

Runion, though, says her dentist should have known she was in no state to agree to such a costly procedure.

"In the absence of the two sedatives, Ms. Runion never would have agreed to such a contractual obligation at that time, since she did not have the money to pay for it," the counterclaim says.

Runion says she had taken intravenous sedatives to compensate for a fear of dentistry that caused her extreme anxiety before each visit until her regular dentist retired in 2003. She says she contacted Simpson, who prescribed Diazepam, a generic form $of valium, and advised that she could request nitrous oxide gas, too.

She claims she took a Diazepam about an hour before her appointment and had someone drive her to the office, where she then also requeted nitrous oxide.

"(Runion) was extremely disoriented during the entire visit. In fact, she barely remembers anything that happened during the visit, her only recollections being vague visual images with little or no specifics," the counterclaim says.

When she returned home and the drugs wore off, she says she felt pain in her gums and contacted Simpson's office about it. She was then informed of what procedures had actually taken place and that follow-up visits would be necessary. She adds that a staff member grew hostile with her as she tried to work a deal with her.

Simpson is seeking the money he feels owed to him and is represented by Meredith Osborne. Runion is seeking penalties for debt collection practices between $1,202.43 and $5,000 and is represented by Christopher Hedges.

Judge Tod Kaufman has been assigned the case.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number 06-C-590