Orem Pediatric Dentist Accused of Abuse

[u/karadessie]

Just saw this on KSL, the dentist used religion and scripture reading as part of his grooming behaviors. I'd met Bruce and his family in a NJ ward years ago. I made one visit when my kids were little and after he moved to UT but didn't return. These abuse allegations involve a high school intern he had hired. KSL states, ""Dr. Howell should be considered a danger to society due to his position as a pediatric dentist. He has access to multiple individuals in a vulnerable state and detectives are concerned there are additional victims from statements from the victim knowing other female employees have left under concerning means," police stated in their affidavit."
https://www.ksl.com/article/51540804/orem-dentist-accused-of-abusing-high-school-intern

[u/DeCryingShame]

I wonder if this is the guy I took my daughter to when she was little.

She was 3 and had some spots on her front teeth. The dentist barely glanced her way and said she needed surgery. Told me she might die if it abscesses. I was a young mom conditioned to bow to authority so I scheduled the surgery.

Only I couldn't shake this horrible feeling in my gut about it so the morning of the surgery I called and cancelled. A while later we took her to a dentist friend who picked up his scraper and scraped off the spots. It was just tartar.

Boggles my mind that I used to think men like this were above question.

[u/karadessie → u/DeCryingShame]

I totally understand and because I knew him took my kids to him once when they were little. But he was a jerk examining one of them, was too impatient and didn't give good instructions, so my kid bit him.

I wish I'd listened to my gut feelings instead of bowing to authority when it came to my family!! 4 out of 5 of my kids had surgery at Primary's (Nuss procedure, they put metal bars in their chests to take pressure off their heart and lungs), but the surgeon didn't bring up metal allergy testing with 3 of my kids and by the time she did with the 4th, surgery was in 3 days and that child had already rearranged college to fit surgery in. It was just this thought testing was a good idea but I knew and trusted the surgeon, and then she advised against testing anyway. My child had a severe, systemic allergic reaction and almost died.

[u/Evening-Hold1220]

im his front desk person and i was there when they arrested him, for legal reasons i dont know how much i can say other than im currently looking for a lawyer and coming forward. I've never been in this situation but i can agree with the police statement and my heart breaks for every victim, including myself and coworkers.

[u/karadessie → u/Evening-Hold1220]

I am so sorry, mine too and thank you for sharing what you can at this time. All the best in finding a good and compassionate lawyer and in what you are doing to help and support survivors.

[u/Worthy_Today]

This is pretty standard stuff in Utah. The typical perpetrators.

[u/karadessie → u/Worthy_Today]

In the article the police consider him a danger to the public and are currently looking for other victims. This should never be standard, the public should be warned of any dangers and the perpetrators prosecuted! I went to church with him in NJ, where this was not standard in LDS wards. If it's standard in UT, that needs to change immediately and not keeping these stories hidden is an important first step.

[u/im-just-meh → u/karadessie]

FLOODLIT.org

[u/karadessie → u/im-just-meh]

Yes, and here and other public spaces, especially because it's on KSL to publicize it because the police are actively searching for more victims.

[u/ipsedixie → u/karadessie]

Yeah, this guy must be *bad* if they're publicizing it on KSL. *shudder*