Dental negligence claims

A visit to the dentist is not usually something most of us relish yet this anguish can be compounded if you have suffered a dental injury through no fault of your own. This type of medical negligence can be down to a lack of knowledge and expertise by the dentist or problems with inadequate or faulty equipment. The majority of dentists operate with good conduct but dental injuries do happen and you may have the right to claim compensation.

In all areas of medical treatment there is an element of risk but in order to necessitate good oral health, all of us have to undergo dental work at some stage.

Types of dentistry

Restorative dentistry

The most common type of work where dentists help maintain the health of your teeth. Fillings (white and silver), bridges, scale and polishes, crowns and veneers are all examples.

Orthodontics

Work carried out by specialist dentists to improve the function of the teeth. Braces and retainers are examples of this.

Maxillo-facial surgery

Oral surgeons perform this type of dental work when wisdom teeth need to be removed or broken teeth need to be taken from the jaw bone.

Endodontics

The removal of the nerve of the tooth, most commonly carried out in root canal treatment.

Periodontics

The treatment and diagnosis of gum disease ( gingivitis) or periodontitis (advanced gum disease).

Prosthetics

The replacement of teeth, e.g. dentures.

In any of the above circumstances mistakes can be made by dentists. Your dentist maybe a private clinic or part of the NHS, in either case, a dental professional has a duty of care and you still have the same rights to make a claim.

Types of Dental Negligence Claims

There are a number of scenarios where dental negligence claims are made. The list below is not exhaustive but contains the most common situations.

• Misdiagnosis occurs when dentists do not detect a problem with the teeth during an examination and the problem worsens.
• Incorrect diagnosis – the dentist does not carry out the correct work needed for the problem due to misdiagnosis.
• Poor treatment on an ongoing or one-off basis where a personal injury has resulted.
• Carelessness of the dentist while carrying out treatment and causing an injury like removing the wrong tooth, for example.
• Swallowing dental apparatus – occasionally this has happened to patients during routine or in-depth treatments and examinations.
• Incorrect drug dosage can be administered or an allergic reaction can occur in the patient resulting in injury.

Have you suffered dental negligence?

Surprisingly it is not always obvious if you have suffered a dental injury; if you are uncertain it might be worth asking yourself if you are still experiencing pain or have had any allergic reactions after a week of your visit.

What rights do you have as a patient?

• Patients must be allowed to make an educated decision about what, if any, treatment to choose. This must therefore be presented clearly by the dentist before any work begins.
• Written permission must be given to carry out any treatment by your dental practice.
• Emergency treatment must be offered by your dentist within 24 hours of the request ( this applies to both private and public sector dentists).
• Alternative treatments must be presented to the patient before treatment begins.
• Dental records must be explained when a patient asks for more information on them.
• The correct standards of training must be achieved by the dentist in order for them to practice legitimately.

If you feel your claim is viable then you will need to obtain evidence that the same treatment could have been carried out by an alternative competent member of the dental profession.

Making A Dental Negligence Claim For Compensation

Our team of personal injury solicitors at Jefferies are very experienced in dealing with all types of medical and dental negligence compensation claims. In the first instance we will need to take some initial details regarding your injuries or cause for negligence claim. You can easily contact us by either calling free on 0800 342 3206 or by filling in our quick initial online claim form – one of our team will then contact you with a view to going over the basics to get started in an informal, yet professional and of course, confidential manner.

Other Types Of Claims

We deal with a range of personal injury and accident claims here at Jefferies. These range from road traffic accidents, accidents at work claims, head and brain injury claims, industrial injury claims, claims for slips, trips and falls in public places (including supermarkets and retail parks), and of course, dental and medical negligence compensation claims. Get in touch if you feel that you have cause to claim for any of the above.

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"I was a motorcyclist involved in a road traffic accident that was not my fault. I suffered from physical and psychological injuries as a result of the accident including a very serious injury to my wrist requiring surgery. The claim was very complex and Jefferies dealt withn it in a very professional manner and I was very happy with the outcome. I received £199,071.62 for my injuries and other losses including my loss of earnings. I would recommend Jefferies Solicitors to my friends and family if they ever needed to make an accident claim."

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