Awful experience at the hands of an NHS Dentist

[Elliebes]

Id been going to an NHS dentist attached to a hospital. Around 7 months ago the Dentist did some treatment and with one tooth she just repaired it but didnt drill and fill it. About 4 months later the repair came off and I started to have severe pain out of the tooth but I hung on and hung on until my 6 months check-up. I went for the check-up and told her how much pain I was having out of this tooth and she didnt seem to be taking on board what I said but took an Xray and said it needs filling. 3 weeks later appointment and agonising pain I came for my appointment to have it filled and I told her how much pain I'd been in and she said well you never said all this at your last appointment - EH?? I said I did mention it. By this time my face is slightly swollen by the tooth in question and I pointed this out and she said oh thats just your glands (I did mention I'd had a sinus infection recently) the next thing she checked the tooth and said oh I dont supposed YOUVE noticed but that tooth is quite loose?? I will have to extract it. 7 needles later she tries to take it out and the pain was unbearable. Oh she said well Im sorry there must be an infection under the tooth so here is a prescription for antibiotics and make another appointment as soon as possible and we will finish the extraction....................I cannot BELIEVE it ?? Is this normal for NHS Dentists?? I am so angry Im walking around with a half extracted tooth in my head in great pain and with a face swelling. I came out of there more traumatised than I went in.

 

Because of her incompetence in the beginning I am going to lose a tooth that I might not necessarily have lost if she'd drilled and filled it 6 months ago and Im fuming can I complain can I sue for medical negligence and trauma!

 

Can I go and register with another Dentist and explain whats happened I dont know what to do? I dont have the money to pay for treatment.

[morsy]

You can go to any dentist you like, if you can find an NHS dentist.

However by not seeking trearment straight away you have proplerly made the proplem a lot worse.

If you were in unbearable pain that would surly be a sign to seek medical help straight away.

 

Proving that she was negligant would be dificult and as you didn't seek treatment straight away then it could be said you contributed to proplem.

The denist could counterclaim contributry negligance - where through your own negligence (failing to seek help straight away), contributed to the harm suffered.

Edited July 7, 2011 by morsy

[Elliebes]

Ok you are most likely right on this one. Im going to seek out an register at a new dentist next week. God knows how long I will have to wait to be seen again. Thanks for your reply.

[morsy]

You can try ringing NHS direct or looking on therir website they should be able to give you a list of NHS dentist near you.

 

If you ring them up and say its urgent your in a lot of pain they should see you in 48hours.

 

They should also be able to tell you what its going to cost and how you can pay.

[Elliebes]

Great! Thanks!