Dentist Complaints

[DIZZYNITA]

Hi

I've been with my dentist for 5 years and now I've had enough.

To sum it up my teeth are worse than before I went to this practice.

Chipped teeth caused by both being heavy handed and incompetence, worked on the same tooth three times and still got problems, filed down my lower front teeth so the dentin shows and sold me teeth whitening which I can't use as I've got sensitive teeth.

 

Having looked up the various routes to take I'm wonder if any on here have made official complaints and what the outcome was..

Thanks

[AndyOrch]

Thread moved to the appropriate forum.

 

Regards

 

Andy

[stu007]

Hi

 

This link may be of use: http://www.nhs.uk/chq/pages/1777.aspx?categoryid=74&subcategoryid=742

[Sali]

As is often asked in this forum, what is your desired outcome from any complaint?

 

I have never complained about a dentist, but my first step would be to ask for my treatment records - including x-rays - through a subject data access form for the whole five-year period. There will normally be a fee for this. I think it would be wise to register with another dentist beforehand.

 

I'm not sure how helpful these will be to a layperson (I'm sure acronyms abound) but it may be invaluable at some later stage.

 

I would then put my complaint in writing, rather than verbally, to the practice manager. I would want a written record.

 

If you are not satisfied with the dentist's response, then seek advice from the General Dental Council on what to do next (there may be timescales that limit your complaint). If it was NHS treatment, you would follow the NHS complaints process. There is also the legal route. Questions that may be asked is why you continued, despite your misgivings, (did you complain during this period?) to attend the dentist and why, if you knew your teeth to be sensitive, you purchased whitening treatment.

 

A few years ago I became aware that numerous dentists in the UK are practising without the required indemnity insurance and seemingly no authority is enforcing this. There have also been dentists who have fled the country when charged, invalidating their insurance (any excuse)! The GDC may strike a bad dentist off the register (eventually), but this is not helpful to the patient left with damaged teeth. So be careful when you choose your new dentist.

[neil6534]

A few years ago my dentist told me I needed a cap on one of my teeth hut I still had a problem after the work. Basically an abses had formed under the tooth so anything other than a removal.was a waste of time and money. I wrote and complained directly to them treating action through the ombudsman specific to dentistry and the courts....had an immediate refund..state the facts state the complete and state your resolution