Dentist negligence (NHS)

[rudy691]

Hello.

 

Writing this on behalf of my missus.

 

She had a problem for a while with one of her teeth. We're claiming tax credits so are exempt from NHS charges and work was carried free. She needed root canal treatment. After a while things didn't get any better as it turned out that apparently the treatment was done wrong without properly cleaning the root canal. So she went again and had the same thing done. Couple of months later same problem happened and she had an infection and was given antibiotics. Then another root canal work was done. She went for a checkup today and doctor says that this tooth will have to be extracted now, due to him messing up the root canal treatment. Or she would have to see a specialist now (which will probably not be covered by NHS). This is ridiculous. Just asking what are out options here ? He's obviously going for the extraction first as it's the cheapest option. But missus feels she was neglected with the whole treatment.

[think about it]

My first thing would be to check if the dentist discussed the chances of the treatment being a success, no treatment has a 100% success rate and part of the informed consent that needs to be sought before carrying out the procedure is an understanding of the chances of failure and what might go wrong/not work.

 

For example, I recently had some surgery and on the form it says that there is a chance of: Paralysis, Death, making the problem worse, nerve damage, bleeding etc etc...

 

An unsuccessful treatment(s) doesn't necessarily mean that the clinician has been negligent. Have a read of this: http://www.britishendodonticsociety.org.uk/patients/further-information.html

 

However, as with anything it's a case of asking what does your wife want from all of this? You ask what are your options but in what respect? I'd say it's always worth writing a complaint to the dentist in question, asking for more details and for the problems to be put right (if possible).

 

Good luck getting it sorted!

[Cassiopeia11]

Have you had a check into additional dental insurance.

I know it will not really help with this problem at the moment but it is always a good option for the future.

I am quite dissatisfied with the dental services covered and provided by the NHS this is why I choose an additional insurance.