On Monday, it will be two months since the Athwals’ lives changed forever.
Four-year-old Amber Athwal still can’t talk, walk or recognize her parents. Despite all this, Amber’s father Raman Athwal said Thursday he’s relieved.
By Nov. 30 of this year, he will finally know what happened to his little girl.
READ MORE: Edmonton family says little girl left in coma after dental visit
The Alberta Dental Association and College has launched an investigation into Amber’s dental visit and have promised to have answers by the end of the month.
Athwal said the health minister has also listened to his concerns.
“The immediate thing we want is the answer – what went wrong with her health? What stopped her breathing?”
On Sept. 7, Amber went to an Edmonton dentist for a consultation, but her parents say the little girl was then booked in for surgery.
The Athwals say Amber was put under by the dentist using a general anesthetic, but she stopped breathing and now has brain damage.
READ MORE: Father of 4-year-old Edmonton girl says dental association’s decision ‘is too late’
On Monday, Athwal spoke publicly for the first time to Global News.
Frustrated by a lack of answers, he called out the health minister and said she didn’t have the guts to meet with his family.
Wednesday evening, Health Minister Sarah Hoffman went to the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital. She sat by Amber’s bed, hugged Amber’s mother and promised to help the family.
“She gave her love and blessing,” Athwal said, “and also pampered her.”
Athwal said Hoffman told them she will help get the support they need to care for Amber.
READ MORE: Alberta health minister meets with family of girl left in coma after dental visit
“She’s making progress,” the minister said after her meeting with the Athwal family.
“They have a long road ahead of them.”
Hoffman said the decision by the Alberta Dental Association and College to suspend the practice of allowing a single dentist to provide deep sedation or a general anesthetic and do dental treatment at the same time will help improve safety.
Amber’s parents have quit their jobs to care for their little girl. They also have a two-and-a-half year old daughter who doesn’t understand why her sister won’t play with her anymore.
“We don’t want other parents to suffer what we are going through.”