Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you and is a powerful asset for making that crucial positive first impression. And putting your trust into a dental professional with it, is no small matter. So, when that trust is broken and results in poorly performed dental treatment, severe or persistent pain in your mouth or damage to your smile, it can be devastating physically, emotionally and professionally.
At The Dental Law Partnership, we understand the deep and lasting impact poor dental care can have on your life and your smile. If you believe a dentist’s actions or inactions has damaged your smile, we’ve detailed below what you need to know about your rights and more importantly the legal options you can take if necessary.
What is Dental Negligence?
Dental Negligence occurs when a dentist fails to provide an acceptable standard of care, resulting in harm to a patient. Some common examples of this include:
- Misdiagnosis or Failure to Diagnose (e.g. Gum disease, Oral cancer etc)
- Incorrect or Poor Execution of Dental Procedures (Root canal, Crowns, Veneers, Bridges)
- Use of Defective Materials or Equipment
- Nerve Damage due to Improper Techniques
- Extracting the wrong tooth
These are just a few examples of dental negligence, if your dental work results in unexpected complications at the fault of your dentist, long-lasting pain, or cosmetic disfigurement, remember these are dental negligence red flags and could be cause to open a compensation claim.
Step 1: Spotting the Signs of Dental Negligence
You may be the victim of dental negligence if you have experienced:
- Intense or persistent pain post treatment
- Unexpected cosmetic damage
- Treatment complications or Injuries caused by your dentist
- Dental Infections due to Negligent Care
- Numbness, Tingling or Loss of Sensation in your mouth, lips or tongue after dental treatment
Yes, every procedure carries its risks, and you should always be informed of them in advance. But lack of informed consent is another form of negligence. Read more on the signs of negligence in our blog “Five Common Examples of Dental negligence You Shouldn’t Ignore”.
Step 2: Report the Issue
If your dentist or the dental practice cannot resolve your issue, you can file a formal complaint or seek further advice from external parties. Depending on your location, this could be with:
- NHS Complaints Service 0300 330 5454 nhs.uk
- Dental Complaints Service (private treatment) 0208 253 0800 dentalcomplaints.org.uk
- General Dental Council 0207 167 6000 gdc-uk.org
- CQC – Care Quality Commission 0300 061 6161 cqc.org.uk
Filing a complaint won’t result in any monetary compensation, but it can initiate an investigation and potentially lead to disciplinary action for those at fault.
Step 3: Seeking Legal Advice
Dental negligence is one part of the spectrum of the wider term medical negligence. What can you claim compensation for?
- Corrective dental procedures
- Future treatment costs
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional and psychological distress
- Financial loss
This step not only holds the dentist accountable but may prevent future harm to others too.
Step 4: Focus on Healing Both Physically and Emotionally
Repairing the physical damage is only one part of the recovery process. Dental trauma can also deeply affect your self-esteem and mental health. While our legal team handles the complexities of your case, your focus should be on your own journey of recovery, physically, emotionally and financially.
At The Dental Law Partnership, we are a team of compassionate and skilled lawyers and dental experts who will work with you to rebuild your smile.
Read what our clients think about us here
Your Smile Deserves Justice
No one expects a routine dental visit to turn into a painful ordeal. At The Dental Law Partnership, were committed to helping victims of dental negligence navigate the legal system with confidence, care and empathy.
Just because National Smile Month has ended, doesn’t mean the support at The Dental Law Partnership has. Contact us for free today on 0800 152 2032 or fill in our online claim form, let us evaluate your case and help restore more than just your smile, your peace of mind.
Find out more about “National Smile Month” in our blog: National Smile Month