Have you suffered from dental negligence that has caused you pain, discomfort, injury or even a loss of self-esteem? At Switalskis, we know that the damage caused by dental negligence extends beyond physical symptoms, often leaving emotional scars that can impact your everyday life. That's why we're so committed to helping those affected to secure the dental negligence compensation they're entitled to claim.

Our dedicated team of dental negligence solicitors has extensive knowledge and expertise in this area of law. With our compassionate approach, we'll not only guide you through the complexities of the dental negligence claims process but also provide the support you need on a personal level during this challenging time.

No one should have to endure the aftermath of dental negligence alone. Take the first step towards reclaiming your life by contacting Switalskis. Let us take care of your claim, so you can focus on what truly matters: your healing and recovery. Your journey to justice starts by making a dental compensation claim with us today.

Dental negligence is a specific type of medical negligence that involves substandard or negligent care and treatment provided by dental professionals. This includes dentists, dental nurses, dental therapists, dental hygienists, orthodontists and oral surgeons, whether they work in the NHS or private practices.

Negligence in the context of dentistry means that the standard of care you received fell below the accepted standards of competence within the dental community. In practical terms, this refers to cases where a dental professional does something incorrectly or fails to do something that should have been done, resulting in harm or injury to the patient.

There are various situations that could be classed as dental negligence, including:

• Incorrect treatment or procedures leading to damage or injury
• Delayed or incorrect diagnosis of dental conditions such as gum disease (periodontal disease) or oral cancer
• Surgical errors during procedures such as extractions or implants
• Injury to nerves or other parts of your mouth and teeth due to negligent care
• Failure to obtain your informed consent before carrying out a potentially risky procedure

In each of these cases, it’s important to prove dental negligence by showing that mistakes made by a dental professional directly caused, or significantly contributed to, the harm or injury you have suffered. This is often the challenging part of any dental negligence claim, and why it’s crucial to seek the expertise of skilled solicitors like Switalskis to make sure your case is handled in the right way.

The impact of dental negligence can be far-reaching, affecting your physical health, emotional wellbeing and lifestyle. In some cases, this type of medical negligence can lead to the following:

• Physical pain and discomfort: one of the most obvious initial consequences of dental negligence is physical pain and discomfort. This can be mild or severe, depending on the nature and extent of the negligence and the injury it caused. You might feel occasional discomfort, or the pain could be ongoing, affecting your ability to eat, speak or sleep comfortably.
• Emotional trauma and anxiety: negligent dental treatment can cause you emotional distress. It's natural to feel a sense of betrayal or loss of trust in healthcare professionals, while the physical pain and any changes in your appearance may also understandably cause anxiety and a loss of self-esteem. In severe cases, some patients may develop a phobia of dentists and dental treatment; further affecting their quality of life.
• Long-term health complications: dental negligence can lead to serious health complications over time. These include persistent infections, loss of teeth, increased sensitivity to hot and cold food or drinks, gum disease (periodontal disease) and damage to the jawbone. In extreme cases, a failure to diagnose or treat oral cancer or other serious conditions can put your life at risk.
• Financial strain: negligent dental treatment often leads to additional dental or medical expenses to correct the problem or manage your ongoing symptoms. Patients may also lose income due to time off work for additional dental treatment or recovery, and incur transport costs by having to make further trips to the dentist or hospital.
• Lifestyle changes: depending on the severity of the injury, you may have to make significant lifestyle changes. This could include dietary changes if eating certain foods becomes difficult, or you might have lengthy periods off work for treatment and recovery, impacting your professional life and career ambitions.
• Cosmetic issues: many forms of dental negligence, such as botched dental surgery or inappropriate cosmetic dentistry, can have visible effects on your appearance, causing embarrassment and impacting your self-confidence.

If you've experienced dental negligence and are dealing with these or any other consequences, it's important to seek legal advice. At Switalskis, we can help you understand your rights and claim compensation for the difficulties you've faced.

The duration of dental negligence claims will vary depending on the complexity of the case, the severity of the injuries, and whether the dentist or their insurer admits liability straight away.

For straightforward cases where liability is admitted early, you could expect to claim compensation within 12 to 18 months. For more complex cases, the process can take several years. This is particularly true if the case involves severe or long-term injury, or if there are details that need to be investigated thoroughly.

In some cases, liability might be admitted early on, but the final settlement amount will take longer to negotiate. When this happens, we'll work to secure interim payments for you. These are advance payments from your eventual compensation that can help to cover any immediate expenses you're facing, such as treatment and rehabilitation costs or loss of earnings.

Even if a case takes years to resolve, it won't cost you any more in legal fees under a no win, no fee agreement, so you can make your claim with full confidence.

Potential legal costs are among the biggest concerns our clients have about claiming dental negligence compensation. At Switalskis, we're committed to making the process as accessible as possible by offering various funding options to meet your needs:

• No win, no fee agreement: also known as a conditional fee agreement (CFA), this is the most common way to fund a dental negligence claim. Under a no win, no fee agreement, you won't need to pay anything if your claim is unsuccessful. If you win your case, a percentage of your compensation will be used to cover our fees. This option allows you to pursue your claim without any financial risk, and we'll discuss all of the potential costs with you upfront to avoid any surprises.
• Legal expenses insurance: you may have legal expenses cover as part of your home or car insurance policy, which can be used to fund your claim. We'll assist you in understanding your policy and liaising with your insurer.

Remember, your first consultation with our dental negligence solicitors is free and without obligation. We'll discuss the funding options available to you and help you choose the best one for your situation.