Dental Negligence

The primary care dentistry industry is worth a reported £5.7 billion, with, according to NHS statistics, a total of 28.9 million patients being seen between December 2008 and December 2010, an increase of 773,000 (2.7 per cent) since the 2006 to 2008 statistics. And this doesn’t cover private dental care, including cosmetic dental procedures such as teeth whitening.

Dentists, as with all other health care professionals, owe a duty of care to patients that they will carry out the correct treatment in the correct manner. Once a tooth is removed, there is no putting it back and teeth damaged due to a lack of skill or care may never be the same again.

A dentist is negligent if they provide treatment which falls below the minimum standard of care or skill which the dental profession would regard as being acceptable: they are judged by the standard of an average, competent dentist.

Common examples of dental negligence include:

• failed diagnosis which resulted in a worsening of the condition due to lack of treatment
• incorrect diagnosis where a dentist fails to carry out the correct work or carries out incorrect work leaving further pain and suffering
• careless work causing personal injury
• inadequate treatment on single or multiple occasions
• drug usage error where administration of a drug is wrong, not performed properly or results in an allergic reaction mentioned in the patients notes
• (although it is rare) swallowed instruments due to unsecured instruments or swabs falling down a patients throat.

Dental negligence is becoming a more prominent issue in society as general health and wellbeing, including oral health, of the public has come into the limelight. Whilst some see dental negligence as minor compared to medical negligence which could cause death, dental negligence can cause significant pain and suffering to those involved.

If you feel that you have suffered negligent dental care, call Anne Maguire on 01908 692769 or email her at amaguire@geoffreyleaver.com