Dental guides

Guide to Dentist Mistakes

Whilst most dentists provide a consistently high standard of care to their patients, sometimes dental mistakes can happen when you are undergoing treatment. If you have been injured or suffered significantly as a result of a dentist’s mistake in England or Wales, you may be eligible to make a claim for compensation. We have outlined some of the most common mistakes dentists make that could mean you might be able to make a compensation claim for dental negligence.

What are the most common dental mistakes?

Compared to the number of people who are successfully treated by dentists every year without issue, the number of patients who do find that their dentist has made a mistake with their care is very small. However, these errors do happen and sometimes the patient can be injured as a result or may require extensive future dental work to fix the problem. If a dentist makes a mistake and the patient is significantly or permanently damaged as a result, it can affect every area of their life.

Some of the areas we see mistakes being made by dentists can include:

Diagnosis

If you are found to have a dental or oral condition that is not properly diagnosed by your dentist and gets significantly worse as a result, you might be able to make a compensation claim. Find out more about failing to diagnose dental issues here.

Dental Injuries

If your dentist caused trauma to your teeth, gums, jaw, face when treating you, perhaps when mishandling equipment, you may be able to claim compensation for your injury. Find out more about dental injury claims here.

Not Obtaining Consent

If your dentist doesn’t properly explain a procedure or treatment plan, your options or the risks of each choice so that you can give informed consent, this may be considered as dental negligence and you may be able to make a claim. Find out more about failing to obtain consent here.

If you think that your dentist has done any of the above and it has resulted in an injury to you or significant pain and suffering, we can offer free initial advice on whether you might have a claim for compensation due to a dentist’s mistake.

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Mrs Smith - North West

15 MONTHS OF AGONY FOR LOCAL LADY AFTER DENTIST BOTCHES ROOT CANAL TREATMENT

Condition:
Analysis of her dental records revealed that Dr Se had not undertaken the root canal treatment to an adequate standard, which led to the need for repeat treatment and the eventual extraction of her tooth. On top of this, Mrs Smith had to undergo the added trauma of having a crown removed before repeat root canal treatment could be undertaken. The antibiotics that Dr S prescribed also made her feel sick.

1 Mar 2022•3 min read

Mr Kai Orley

18-YEAR-OLD STOCKTON STUDENT AWARDED £11,000 AFTER SUFFERING HALF A DECADE OF ORTHODONTIC ISSUES

Condition:
18-year-old Mr Kai Orley suffered three and a half years of ineffective dental work, meaning it took five years for orthodontic treatment to be completed

30 Sep 2024•3 min read

Sherrise Stewart

19-YEAR-OLD LONDONER AWARDED COMPENSATION FOR POOR ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT

Condition:
Endure the discomfort and inconvenience of wearing a fixed brace for four years and still the treatment was ineffective.

25 Oct 2024•3 min read

Mrs Coley - South Yorkshire

AGONY FOR LOCAL LADY AS SHE LOSES TOOTH AFTER DENTIST’S BOTCHED ROOT CANAL TREATMENT

Condition:
Analysis of her dental records revealed that not only had Dr La Fond failed to diagnose the cyst and recommend its removal, he’d also botched the root canal treatments he had performed. His failure to undertake the treatment with due skill and care had added to Mrs Coley’s pain, and led to her needing repeat root canal treatment. The nine courses of antibiotics she was prescribed and the extraction of her tooth were also completely unnecessary.

1 Mar 2022•3 min read

“I cannot thank and recommend Nick enough, he was amazing throughout. Nick was super helpful and very informative. Nick would always keep me up to date throughout the whole process. He was very kind and understanding and gave great advice. Nick negotiated a great offer for me and I am very thankful for the service provided. Nick is an asset to the Dental Law Partnership team.”

Mrs S Khatkar
12 December 2025•1 min read

“I am very happy with the service I received from Faye McCallum and Dental Law Partnership team. They responded quickly, were polite and understanding, and immediately called me with reassuring news regarding my urgent matter. I was nervous due to tight deadlines, and having such prompt and attentive support without needing to chase anyone made a big difference.

Having experienced other firms where clients often have to remind staff about themselves, I really appreciate this level of professionalism. Based on this, I feel confident that the rest of the team works to the same high standard. So far, I am very satisfied.”

Mrs Taylor
28 December 2025•1 min read

“It has been a completely effortless and seamless process, I’ve had to do nothing but supply the facts, have been updated regularly and any time I’ve checked in or had questions they’ve been very quickly answered and explained. When I’ve found steps confusing or I’m unsure on what some bits mean you’ve been incredibly helpful and patient in taking me through to all.

Even if it hadn’t been successful I’d have still have appreciated how wonderfully helpful you’ve been, but actually getting a recognition of their wrongdoing by them offering a settlement is an absolute delight! Thank you so much!”

Katie
04 July 2025•1 min read

“I have found all members of staff I have dealt with to date have been very pleasant, most helpful and sympathetic.”

Mrs Dunster
23 July 2025•1 min read

“The people I’ve dealt with have been excellent throughout the whole process. They’ve been very patient and kind and I’m very grateful to them all.”

Mrs Alford
05 August 2025•1 min read