A dentist in California who promotes herself as a “MAGA (Make America Great Again) dentist” on several social media platforms is being criticized for saying at a fundraising event that she gives patients with opposing political beliefs less pain medication.
The comments Dr. Harleen Grewal of Skyline Smiles in Santa Clarita, CA, made during a political event have led to complaints being filed against her with the Dental Board of California, as well as a barrage of negative online posts.
In a video circulating online and shared on whatsupscv (What’s up Santa Clarita Valley), Grewal discusses her practice’s “Wall of Fame,” which includes photos of local Republican public officials and one with her and President Donald Trump, some patients’ reactions to it, and giving less sedatives to patients who don’t share her political beliefs.
“So, I have a secret that I use sometimes,” Grewal said in the video, which was recorded at a political event. “It says, ‘Make your smile great again.’ So, I wear that when I work on my patients. So, when they look horrified or complain, I quietly cut back on the laughing gas and say, ‘You got this. It’s not as bad as you think it is.’ I stole that from Joe Biden.”
Prior to those comments, Grewal talked about patients’ reactions to her photos, saying, “Once in a while I get patients in the office. When they see the pictures, you’d think their butt was on fire. They jump up and take off as if Trump was coming in the room.”
She continued with her speech, laughing and saying, “So, after hearing certain Democrats complain about my prices, I look at them confused and say, ‘How’s Bidenomics working for you?’ It was so much better in my office when the Dems stayed home during COVID with their masks on. I wish they still did.”
In response to the video, brooksontheroad posted, “I don’t care about a person’s political views - I do however care about someone in the medical field cutting back on a patient’s pain medication so they suffer during a procedure because they have different political beliefs. There is no excuse for this, and this person should not be allowed to continue practicing dentistry.”
Others called for Grewal to be reported to the state dental board, and the.seacopath posted, “So, this woman is admitting to essentially torturing patients based on their political affiliation. Is that not political violence? I wonder, where is the outrage from all the people who were screaming about people being non-sympathetic about Charlie Kirk getting it in the neck. Hypocrisy at its worst.”
Additionally, babe_of_swords posted, “As a republican myself, this is weird… just keep the politics at home?”
However, not everyone agreed.
“Dr. Harleen is not just and amazing dentist and business women. She’s an INCREDIBLE HUMAN. If you can’t take a joke, that seems like a you problem. Not her. People really need to get a life,” karkar_ak posted.
Without naming the dentist, the California Dental Association acknowledged the situation in an Instagram message posted on September 25.
The CDA stated, “While we recognize every individual’s right to free speech, the comments in the video, even if intended as humor, do not reflect the ethical standards of the dental profession. We also understand that complaints have been submitted to the Dental Board of California, which oversees licensed dentists in our state. At CDA, we firmly believe that dentistry is rooted in values that call on every dentist to treat all of their patients with dignity, respect, and the highest level of care.”
