- 34-year-old Miss Keely Finegan suffered the loss of four teeth after her dentist failed to diagnose and treat her gum disease for years.
- Further investigation by the Dental Law Partnership revealed that the progressively worsening gum disease and extraction of four teeth could have been avoided.
- £19,650 was awarded in compensation for the poor treatment, which left her anxious about visiting the dentist and uncomfortable kissing her partner.
Miss Keely Finegan, a 34-year-old homeless charity outreach worker from Croydon, London, was a patient of Mr Ali Asger Asharia at New Addington Dental Surgery between 2019 and 2023.
When Miss Finegan initially visited the practice in 2019, she was experiencing sensitivity and noticed one of her teeth was becoming loose. Despite expressing concern across 14 different assessments and examinations over nearly three years, she was repeatedly told that her gums were fine.
In August 2022, following continued complaints of bleeding gums, Mr Asharia diagnosed moderate gum disease and performed a full-mouth deep clean. Just five days later, Miss Finegan required an emergency appointment with another dentist due to a wobbly tooth. An X-ray revealed severe bone loss, requiring a temporary splint to attach the loose tooth to three adjacent teeth.
Over the following months, Mr Asharia noted advanced gum disease and bone loss across multiple teeth, yet continued only with splint treatment on the four affected teeth.
After relocating to Liverpool, Miss Finegan visited a new dentist who immediately referred her to a specialist. The specialist confirmed that her gum disease had progressed too far, meaning all four teeth attached to the splint required extraction.
The ordeal took a significant physical and emotional toll on Miss Finegan:
“The whole experience has impacted my life massively. It was all-consuming and I became a bit obsessed with my teeth. I was constantly looking in the mirror and felt really self-conscious. Sometimes I was even paranoid or uncomfortable about kissing my partner. I absolutely hate going to the dentist now—it gives me so much anxiety, especially when I go away travelling, as I’m constantly worried that I’ll have more complications.”
— Miss Keely Finegan
Frustrated by her experience, Miss Finegan contacted the Dental Law Partnership in 2023. Analysis of her dental records conducted by DLP revealed that had Mr Asharia properly diagnosed and managed her gum disease at an early stage, the extraction of four teeth, severe bone loss, and the future need for a bone graft and implants could have been entirely avoided.
Speaking on the case, Olivia Mounsey of the Dental Law Partnership stated:
“The distress and pain our client has experienced was completely unnecessary. If the dentist involved had provided the correct diagnosis and more satisfactory treatment, her problems could have been avoided.”
The Dental Law Partnership successfully settled the case out of court in November 2025, securing £19,650 in compensation for Miss Finegan. The dentist did not admit liability.
Have you suffered due to untreated gum disease or dental negligence?
If you believe your dental professional failed to diagnose or appropriately treat your gum disease, find out how our specialist solicitors can help you make a claim.