‘Patients beware, the sharks are circling’ warns expert, in the aftermath of dental scandal
David Corless-Smith, dentist, solicitor, barrister and director at Dental Law Partnership, a law firm with nearly 15 years’ experience specialising in dental negligence claims, said: “Following the shocking news a few weeks ago about 22,000 of Mr D’Mello’s patients having to be recalled to undergo blood tests, we are seeing a huge increase in non-specialist law firms that have no track record in dental negligence claims touting for business.
“The sharks really are circling around Nottingham so we are warning ex-patients of Mr D’Mello’s to make sure they do their homework and always get the best specialist advice possible as to whether they can take legal action or not.”
Earlier this month, the Nottingham-based dental practice was thrust into the media spotlight, when serious malpractice around cleanliness and infection control was exposed. Following this, health chiefs launched an appeal to urge all of Mr D’Mello’s patients throughout his 32 years of practice, to come forward for testing – some 22,000 patients, thought to be the biggest recall in British history.
David continued: “This is a recall on an epic scale and will no doubt result in hundreds, maybe thousands of negligence claims against the Nottingham practice as people are tested for blood borne viruses.
“We fought and successfully settled, a similar case in Birmingham where a patient was treated with instruments previously used on another patient known to have HIV and Hepatitis. As a result, the patient we represented had to take antiviral drugs for six months, and suffered extensive side-effects from these including nausea and migraines and also required counselling.
“At the Dental Law Partnership, we don’t practise in any other area of law – only dental negligence. Therefore, we would advise all former patients of Mr D’Mello’s not to take the risk and be wary of non-specialist law firms on the prowl for business.
“We believe that while this case is certainly shocking, it’s not altogether that surprising and we would expect to see more, so would urge people to seek specialist advice from a specialist, reputable firm of solicitors like Dental Law Partnership.
”We are currently representing 100s of Dr D’Mello’s former patients in claims for the negligence and stress they have endured. If you have been treated by Dr D’Mello and are concerned about the treatment you have received then please contact our hotline on 0800 8085185.”