April 6, 2011

Howard County, MD

Jenny Olenick went to an oral surgeon’s office on March 28, 2011 for the removal of four fully impacted wisdom teeth. Unfortunately, despite the fact the surgery was performed by an oral surgeon with an anesthesiologist administering five sedatives/anesthetics, Jenny went into cardiac arrest after one tooth was removed. She was revived by paramedics and taken to the local hospital, where she was them airlifted to Johns Hopkins Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.  Jenny was diagnosed with hypoxia, a shortage of oxygen to the brain, along with brain swelling, resulting in severe brain damage. She subsequently went into a coma and was pronounced dead nine days later, on April 6.

A budding performing and recording artist with a sweet soprano voice, Jenny participated in several choruses, and played both the guitar and piano. She also loved performing in musicals, and had begun a disciplined focus on building a career in music.  Last summer Jenny had toured in Canada with Maryland Sings, and was looking forward to attending vocal workshops over this past summer at the Berklee College of Music. In addition to her passion for music, Jenny was an honor student also working on completion of her Gold Award, the Girl Scout equivalent to the Eagle Scout Award. The focus of her Gold Award was to culminate in teaching younger students to sing at camp. With a charitable heart, Jenny also enjoyed participating in service projects, and was looking forward to building homes for the indigent in South America.

Although Jenny had experienced social anxiety in early childhood, by age 17 she had blossomed into a friendly, pleasant, and self confident student with friends in many varied groups at high school. At the celebration of her life held shortly after Jenny’s passing, the typically smiling Junior was described as kind, always willing to lend a hand, and one who would stand up for others who were mistreated. Many students remarked that Jenny had made an impact on them, making a real difference in their lives.  Jenny’s parents, extended family, and friends now struggle with this tremendous loss.

Girl, 17, dies during wisdom teeth surgery
Parents Sue After Teen Dies During Wisdom Tooth Surgery
Wisdom Tooth Surgery: Is It Wise? – ABC News
Dentist The Menace: Jenny Olenick died in April.

12►