Has Anyone Ever Sued A Dentist For Malpractice And Have I Got A Case?

[ClaryS]

I recently had a very bad experience at a NHS dentist; briefly, a previously filled tooth lost the filling and the dentist indicated it was not worth saving and I was given a 7 day course of anti-biotic and an appointment for an extraction. At no time was the tooth x-rayed to see if I actually had an infection and at the time I had no pain. The day of extraction I was not x-rayed, was given painkillers and the dentist tried in vain to extract the tooth it was so painful I could not stand it. I was given more anti-biotic and another appointment to try again in 3 days. I was so upset when I got home I rang the dental practice and explained how I felt and they agreed to refer me to a private clinic for the extraction under sedation. Two days later my face along the jawline turned black and blue with bruising where the dentist had been working on my tooth. When I got to the private clinic they could not believe that a) I had not had an x-ray before the attempted extraction, and b) the state of my mouth and the bruising. After extensive x-rays I was offered an extraction with conscious sedation, which I had , it was a pain free process but I'm now so anxious about going to a dentist in future I know I will have to go private, which is stupid because I'm eligible for free NHS dentistry. It cost me £220 at the clinic which I had to pay out of savings. I want to complain about the original dentist and perhaps claim compensation for the cost to rectify what I believe they bodged up. I was thinking about initially writing to the practice manager with photos of my bruising and see what happens, but I need to be able to indicate I will take the matter further should the letter be ignored but who would be the next port of call? PALS?

[dustypuss]

I had a mate that sued the dentist and he won . I dont know any thing about so I carn't help more.

[dustypuss]

(about it)

[Sqad]

Well I am not a dentist,J2PUR is AB's dental opinion, but..........one can sue the dentist if he is negligent.

1) Not X-Raying a tooth which is infected before extraction doesn't necessarily amount to negligence.

2) Bruising around the gum line is not unusual with difficult extractions.

Good luck.

[ClaryS]

thank you for your input. Just to clarify, it was not the gum line that was bruised it was my jaw line on the outside of my face from my chin to almost my ear. The gum area around the attempted tooth extraction was torn and inflamed. I forgot to add that the original dentist left me to leave the surgery with a loose tooth, a cavity down to the nerve and no temporary filling. This was rectified by the private clinic, who cleaned up the tooth and inserted a temporary filling which afforded instant relief from the agony I'd been suffering for days.

[lcg]

given your experience, and the difference in the care you received between the two surgeries, i would say you definitely have grounds for a complaint. i would write to the dentist concerned via the manager of the surgery and provide as much evidence as possible and ask them to investigate the care the dentist provided. in this day and age, there really is very little reason for somebody to have so much pain when being treated....and i would say that part of assessing whether a tooth is worth saving/infection levels/possible outcomes IS having an xray. it can differentiate between replacing a filling, having root canal treatment/needing an extraction. in addition, check out what body regulates dentists and explore their website/ring them up for help and contact your local nhs health trust too. both will be able to advise you on your next actions - whether you want an apology or the cost of the private treatment refunded.

[Sqad]

Icg........clarys is posting about suing, not complaining.

Two completely different things.

[ClaryS]

Thank you for that very valuable input lcg.

Sqad, although the OP title would indicate I wish to Sue, this would be the worst scenario and I was initially asking what the next step would be should my complaint to the practice manager be ignored, and if this next step was to Sue, what would be the possibility of a favourable outcome. Sorry if my initial post was misleading.