Forty-Five young lives since 1974, have been taken unnecessarily.  Forty-Five bright futures dimmed due to a gap in awareness and a lack of preparation.  The common assumption is that sedation complications are the main cause of fatality, but this is false. For example, one child stopped breathing when her tooth slipped and blocked her airway and another child received too much pain reliever because of improper chart keeping.  The point is that emergencies can and do happen in a variety of ways, from a variety of causes.

There is a problem.  RMBF is dedicated to being the solution.  In our efforts, we aim to honor and remember the children and their families.  We seek to bring change and resolution through medical emergency preparedness (MEP).  Our path is our promise – we will tirelessly pursue our MEP goals until we can celebrate nationwide compliance and safety.  We move with swift focus and determination, understanding that no child, no family, no community should have to suffer this tragedy, especially when the answer is so closely in reach.

RMBF’s research team has revealed forty-five children to date; however, if your child’s name is not on our current list and you would like to have the name included, please contact RMBF’s Executive Director, Nicole Cunha directly at .  Additionally, if your family has yet to be contacted by RMBF, please let us know immediately.  We are working diligently and researching continuously.  Your story is essential to future pediatric patient survival.  We do not only want to speak with you; we need to.

Each child is an urgent cry for action.  We refuse to let these children become statistics.  Every day we mourn and every day we make sure the dental community remembers.  MEP action is the only way to bring peace to our restless hearts.

The RMBF site offers individual child pages to commemorate, to celebrate, and to share these short bursts of brilliance with the rest of the world.  If you are interested in creating a page for your child, we enthusiastically offer our support.  Please send any photos, memories, or information that you would like to include, as well as a brief biography.  If you would like assistance with this aspect, you can submit a bulleted list of points you wish to be included and RMBF will have a copy editor work on the piece.  We will then submit it to you prior to posting in order to get your approval. There is no cost involved on your part – this is our gift to you. Please visit some of the other child pages to see examples.

In our deepest understanding, with our sincerest gratitude, we extend our hearts and hands to each family.   We know – we are living it too.

In our demands for change, your child is remembered.  In our calls for action, your child is remembered.  In our shouts for awareness, your child is remembered.  In our silent moments of contemplation, your child is remembered.  MEP assures that the dental community joins this reverence.  There is great inspiration in the strides RMBF is making and the partnerships we are building.  Healing and hope, prevention and protection – this is our truth.

Thank you.

*In these cases the deaths of these children occured after leaving the dental office.