A woman has won a £40,000 payout after her dentist failed to diagnose her gum disease for more than a decade.
Lynne Haines, 56 claims she suffered from poor mental health, lost several teeth and had huge gaps in her mouth because her severe gum disease was left undiagnosed by her dentist.
The HR adviser from South Wales told a news outlet that the ordeal “ruined my smile, me, and my confidence” so she took up a claim against her dentist. She said that despite going for regular check-ups, her dentist gave no advice or any indication that there was anything seriously wrong with her teeth.
However, during this time, Ms. Haines said a gap was starting to form between her front teeth, and four years after last seeing her dentist, she was referred to specialists. Lynne was then referred for treatment for extreme bone loss, after being diagnosed with periodontal disease.
Lynne, from Penarth, South Wales, said:
“I had a huge gap in my front teeth and many teeth were becoming wobbly.
My job requires me to do a lot of face-to-face meetings and I hated being on video calls with my camera on throughout the pandemic.”
“The treatment was painful and intrusive and my mouth was constantly sensitive. I felt so self-conscious that I never smiled and constantly worried.”
In 2020, Lynne contacted the Dental Law Partnership who took up her claim and said that her gums should have been treated as far back as 2001.
She has now had composite bonding to fix the appearance of her teeth, but she said she knows this is ‘not a permanent solution’ and they will need to be replaced in a few years.
“While I am happy with my appearance for now, the whole experience has left deep mental scars,” she said.
The case was settled against the dentist for treatment he gave while working at a practice in Aberdare between 2001 and 2014. However, he has since retired and did not admit liability for the ordeal.
Gum disease periodontitis – what it is
Periodontitis, also known as gum disease is a serious gum infection that causes damage to the soft tissue around your teeth. The disease can destroy the bone that supports your teeth, which can cause the teeth to loosen or fall out.
Periodontitis can usually be prevented with the correct oral care.
Gum disease symptoms
- Swollen or puffy gums.
- Bright red, dark red or dark purple gums.
- Gums that feel tender when touched.
- Gums that bleed easily.
- A toothbrush that looks pink after brushing your teeth.
- Spitting out blood when brushing or flossing your teeth.
- Bad breath that won’t go away.
- Pus between your teeth and gums.
- Loose teeth or loss of teeth.
- Painful chewing.
- New spaces that develop between your teeth that look like black triangles.
- Gums that pull away from your teeth, making your teeth look longer than usual, called receding gums.
- A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
Dental negligence claims
Teeth play an important part in our everyday lives, from altering our appearance to how and what we can eat, so it is vital that our oral health is cared for properly.
Like medical professionals, patients place trust in dentists and dental professionals to look after their teeth and recognise and correct any issues they may have.
But, sometimes, dental negligence can take place which can see surgical errors, incorrect or delayed diagnoses or mistakes. If you believe you have been affected by dental negligence, you may be able to claim for the damage caused.
Common examples of dental negligence
- Incorrect and delayed diagnosis of teeth health and even oral cancer
- Nerve injury
- Cosmetic dentistry
- Periodontal Disease Misdiagnosis
- Mistakes in treatment leading to the loss of a tooth or multiple teeth
- Surgical Errors in extraction and root canal treatment
What can I claim for in a dental negligence case?
If you have suffered due to dental negligence, you may be able to claim for the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Any loss of earnings as a result of the dental treatment
- Further treatment that may be required including cosmetic treatment
- Psychiatric damage
How long do I have to make a claim?
Claims of this nature are subject to a three-year limitation period. This means that claims have to be commenced within the Courts in three years of rather the date the negligent act occurred or the date you became aware that negligence had occurred.
In cases involving deceased victims, this limitation period commences from the date of death and in cases involving minors, the limitation period starts when they reach their 18th birthday.
The law surrounding limitation periods is complex. Our specialist team will be able to advise further.
Further reading
Dental Negligence Claims – Oakwood Solicitors
WHAT TO DO NEXT
Get in touch today for a no-obligation consultation. Choose one of the methods on the right-hand side of this page, or call us on 0113 200 9720 to find out how we can help you.
Carol Cook joined Oakwood Solicitors in May 2017 to lead the Medical Negligence Department.
Carol handles a wide range of clinical, cosmetic and dental negligence claims and has years of experi…
Medical Negligence Team – Case Studies Showcase
Here is a collection of recent case studies from our Medical Negligence department, showcasing not only the variety of matters they help to resolve, but also the figure awarded to the client upon …
View
