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Clinical and Medical Negligence: Dental Negligence Claims

If you are suffering because dental treatment has gone wrong, our dental and medical negligence solicitors can help.

Few people enjoy going to the dentist. For most of us however, a visit to the dentist is soon over and is very beneficial. Occasionally though, dental treatment can go wrong, causing pain, discomfort, and physical or psychological damage to the patient. If you have been the victim of what you believe to be negligent dental treatment our dental negligence specialists may be able to help, whether you have been treated privately or as an NHS patient.

 

Has your dental treatment caused harm?

  • Dental negligence claims usually relate to the following areas:
  • Damage caused by treatment, to teeth, gums or any other area;
  • Failure to treat, or to recognise a condition such as periodontal disease or any other dental disease;
  • Impairment of mouth functions caused by dental treatment, for example the ability to bite or chew;
  • Negative effects of treatment of the aesthetics of the teeth and gums, particularly in relation to colour or form;
  • Discomfort caused by dental treatment.

 

Claims for dental negligence are becoming increasingly common. Below we have given some information on conditions and occurrences which have prompted cases. However, our expertise is not restricted to these areas, so if you would like to discuss your particular circumstances with one of our dental negligence specialists, please contact us on 01924 882000 or email clinical.negligence@switalskis.com to arrange your free initial consulation.

 

Claims for Periodontal Disease or Periodontal Deterioration

Periodontal disease affects gums, bone and the supporting tissues of the teeth. The periodontal area is where the gum meets the base of the tooth. The disease is caused by bacteria and causes inflammation, bleeding of the gums and pain. It is a progressive condition, but can be halted by thorough cleaning of the teeth by a dentist or dental hygienist, followed up with instructions to the patient on how to keep the condition from recurring.

 

Periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss. More severe forms of the disease cause loss of the supporting bone. In cases where the patient attends the dentist regularly, it is reasonable to expect the dentist to recognise and treat the disease before it becomes advanced. In cases where the disease is at an advanced stage when the patient first presents, patients should receive a proper assessment and depending on the severity may require gingival surgery.

 

Claims for negligence can arise in cases where the practitioner fails to undertake appropriate assessment and/or treatment regime. Failure to do so could lead to progression of the disease.

 

Negligence claims for dental surgery

Sometimes, when teeth have to be extracted, dental practitioners remove the wrong tooth in error. This is more common in cases where more than one practitioner has been involved in the patient's treatment, or treatment is conducted over a course of two or more visits.

 

Usually, extraction of the wrong tooth is due to the problem tooth being incorrectly recorded on the patient's records, giving the wrong number, or indicating that the affected tooth is in the wrong side of the mouth.