Being the victim of dental negligence is a traumatic experience and can cause many patients to swear off going to the dentist in the future, even to the detriment of their dental health. Patients can struggle with dental confidence-associated stress, anxiety, and pain when going to the dentist, which can cause even bigger problems in the long term.
At Dental Law, we work with thousands of patients who have had their trust broken by dental professionals. Dental negligence claims are often the first step to recovery, but there is much more to it than closing the case and moving on as normal.
In this post, we’ll be giving some of our tips – both for dental professionals and patients – on overcoming dental anxiety due to dental negligence.
If you’ve been struggling with going back to the dentist after suffering from dental negligence, or you are a practitioner wanting to better understand how to support those who have been affected by dental negligence, keep reading! Alternatively, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Dental Law team for advice, or to get your dental negligence claim started.
Restoring Confidence – Advice for Professionals Treating the Victim
As a dental professional, you’ll have come across many nervous patients in your career, but helping to build trust with a patient who has been through a dental negligence case can still be complicated. They’ve likely lost a huge amount of trust in dental professionals, and it’s up to you to help start building that back up again.
One of the best things you can do when treating a patient who has been a victim of dental negligence is to over-communicate and over-explain wherever possible.
For many nervous patients, understanding the why of their treatment, as well as the what, makes all the difference.
As a dental professional, it can be easy to forget that your patients don’t have the same understanding of what is happening as you, so be prepared to explain things. Talking about the different steps involved in a procedure before starting can make all the difference to an anxious patient. Sharing your knowledge also helps build trust in your skills as a practitioner, which is vital in cases like these.
When talking to patients who have suffered dental negligence in the past, It’s important to:
- Be clear in what you’re saying
- Break things down into layman’s terms
- Use visual aids and images where you can
- Avoid being patronising – people who have been through negligence cases may have more knowledge than you expect
Building your Confidence Up – Advice for Patients
Get Closure
At the Dental Law Partnership, we’ve helped thousands of patients through their dental negligence claims. That means we’ve seen first-hand just how much the closure of a successful case can help our clients on the road to recovery.
As well as compensation, there is an element of relief many patients find in having their claim validated by the legal system. Many of our patients describe doubting themselves, feeling “crazy” or “making a big deal out of nothing” when considering legal action against their dentist.
If you’re not sure if you have grounds to make a dental negligence claim, contact the team Dental Law today. We offer a no-win, no-fee model, so you have nothing to lose by getting in touch with our expert team of dental negligence lawyers.
Be Honest with Your New Dentist
If you’ve been affected by dental malpractice, be transparent about this. Most dentists are incredibly understanding when working with nervous patients, so giving them context and informing them of your fears can help with their treatment style going forward.
Getting over the trauma of dental malpractice can be incredibly complex, but the majority of good dentists and dental professionals are there to look after you and keep you safe and healthy. If they know about your anxiety, you and your dentist can work together to make your visit easier and reduce your dental anxiety.
Don’t Put Your Appointments Off
When you’re feeling understandably nervous about going back to the dentist, it’s easy to want to put it off, cancel your appointments and not go back. However, this creates more problems than it solves.
Getting familiar with the sensations of the dental chair and understanding your treatment plan in collaboration with your dentist can be incredibly helpful in overcoming your fears.
If possible, start with your regular check-ups, as they will help get you comfortable back in the chair, without any active treatment going on or with any issues to resolve. From there, every future appointment will feel slightly easier, and if there are any issues to resolve, you’ll have an existing relationship with your dentist so you can feel comfortable sharing your concerns.
Get in Touch with Dental Law
Restoring your confidence after dental malpractice isn’t easy, but it is important. Patients and dentists should work together to help make going to the dentist and getting the treatment you need routine, rather than anxiety-inducing.
Legal experts like the Dental Law Partnership can help you get closure in cases of dental malpractice, and help you feel ready to seek better care in the future.
We understand the impact dental negligence can have on your life, and we’re here to fight for the compensation you deserve. Get a free consultation with our dedicated team today.
- Start your claim online: Our simple online claim questionnaire takes just minutes.
- Free phone call: Call us on 0800 152 2036 to speak with someone directly.
There’s no risk involved. We work on a no-win, no-fee basis, so you won’t pay a penny unless we win your case.