If you’ve had dental treatment with which you feel unhappy or one you think you’ve suffered from as a result, you may have grounds to file a dental negligence claim.
Dentists are essentially doctors; they owe their patients a trustworthy and reliable duty of care. If you feel for whatever reason that this care has not been adequately provided, you could potentially have the right to a potential claim against the dental practice for due compensation.
What constitutes ‘dental negligence’ and what are some examples?
Dental negligence can occur in many forms.
Some examples are listed here:
Delayed Diagnosis
Firstly, delayed diagnosis refers to your dentist taking too long to diagnose a problem with your oral health. This could result in further complications that initially may have been avoidable. Tooth or gum decay which should have been identified as a sign of gum disease but was not until the infection had taken root would be a prime example of such a delay.
Misdiagnosis
This is the second class of negligence, whereby the dentist or hygienist likely misjudges the dental problem at hand. This could potentially lead to a delay in the correct treatment, or possibly even lead to the performance of other invasive and expensive incorrect procedures.
Substandard Dental Work
This is the most common form of negligence. This broad category is applicable whenever a dentist’s work is deemed inadequate, poorly done, or fails to address the problem at hand adequately.
Examples include extraction of the wrong tooth, failed implants, incorrect fitting of dental implants, or poorly administered fillings, crowns, or root canals.
Other claim worthy issues include physical or psychological trauma suffered as a result of the dental work and financial loss from having to pay to correct a mistake made by a dental professional.
How to make a dental negligence claim
If you think you may have been a victim of dental negligence, the first thing to do is contact a specialist clinical negligence solicitor. These firms are specialised in dental negligence and have the highest reliability in successfully arguing your case.
There is often a free consultation with a skilled solicitor to discuss your case and see if there is a claimable offence. There is no significant loss in reaching out for claim guidance, as some solicitors soliciting offices function on a no-win, no-fee agreement. This means that if your claim is not successful, there is no financial obligation on the part of the client.
Important to note, it can take up to four months for a legal representative to gain access to your comprehensive dental records which are necessary to investigate your claim.
Takeaway
As such, it is advised that anyone who thinks they may have a case, they should contact a clinical negligence solicitor. Legally, as governed by the Limitation Act of 1980, there is a three-year time limit from when the negligence occurred to when you file a claim.
To take further steps, or to hear what your options regarding any negligence you may have experienced at the hands of a dentist may be, contact a specialist clinical negligence solicitor immediately.
Related article: Clinical Negligence – A Compensation Guide
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