When you visit the dentist, you place your trust in a professional. If someone betrays this trust and makes your dental or oral illness worse through laziness or by mistake this is not only negligent but morally wrong. Dental negligence often causes pain. Some injuries may prevent you from living normally, and could even change your life forever. All dental professionals have a legal ‘duty of care’ to deliver reasonable and expert care. This is their obligation to “do no harm” as a specialist physician.
If your dentist has failed in their duty of care to you, then the effects on your life can be significant. We can help you claim compensation to give you restitution for ill effects suffered. Making a no win no charge dental negligence claim can seem time-consuming, even frightening. Millner and Knight have seen the positive impact of claiming compensation on people who’ve been afflicted by dental negligence. It can provide the financial support you need during your recovery and give you peace of mind for the future.
If you need advice on what to do next, or if you are ready to make a claim, we can help. Talk to a medical specialist on 1800 106 107 or request a call back using our online form.
What counts as dental negligence in New South Wales?
Below is a list of the more common examples of dental negligence. If you don’t see your symptom here, don’t worry. Call 1800 106 107 and we can figure out if you were the victim of dental negligence in a quick conversation.
Delayed diagnosis: It’s important for your dentist to figure out what’s wrong as quick as possible. If they haven’t, this can delay treatment and make the problem worse.
Incorrect treatment: For example, if your dentist removed the wrong tooth.
Misdiagnosis: If your dental problem is misdiagnosed, this can lead to unnecessary treatment and further illness.
Substandard treatment: If your dentist or orthodontist carried out a haphazard or sloppy treatment, this can cause pain and suffering.
Types of dental negligence injuries
Even though your dentist may be your primary oral care physician, orthodontists, dental hygienists, dental nurses and dental therapists, or anyone else who gives you dental treatment or advice can also carry out negligent or substandard treatment.
We’ve outlined some examples of complications caused by dental negligence below.
Negligent root canal treatment
A dentist can perform a root canal treatment to treat tooth decay, a leaky filling, or an infection caused by damaged teeth.
In most cases, the procedure is routine and trouble free. Dental negligence can cause complications such as fractured teeth, dental instrument residue, and infection.
Incorrect fitting of a crown or bridges
Crowns are a cover on a tooth to reinforce the enamel and structure. Bridges are tooth-shaped structures that replace missing teeth. If these aren’t fitted properly, they can cause discomfort, or require replacement earlier than anticpated.
Mistakes during oral surgery
Undergoing oral surgery can have its risks, which must be explained before you decide to proceed. If you sustained injury during surgery and were not warned about the risk, you may be able to make a compensation claim. You may also be able to claim if your dentist made a mistake during your oral surgery.
How claiming compensation helps?
We understand making a compensation claim is not your first priority during a traumatic incident such as dental negligence. But making a claim afterward can help you through the suffering.
When putting together your dental negligence claim your lawyer will ensure they understand the effects your injury has had on you and those around you. This is so they can make sure you get all the compensation you require.
The pain and complications caused by dental negligence may have caused financial stress, due to time lost at work or extra medical bills. It can make you feel isolated, which could lead to a loss of confidence or even depression.
Your compensation “undo” your injury, but it can help you take the first steps to getting things back to how they were before, or as close enough to.
Your lawyer will prepare a claim that compensates you for lost earnings (now and in the future), medical bills, travel expenses and other suffering you have experienced.
When you call us we’ll help you
Understand whether you can claim, without confusing “legalese” Understand what to expect from the claims process By giving you free, impartial advice about starting a claim, and by listening to your full story. By putting you in touch with an experienced lawyer, you can decide whether to make a compensation claim. We’ll never pressure you or rush you into making a claim – we’re simply here to help. If you’d like advice or to chat about the claims process, call us on 1800 106 107 or use our online claims form to begin.
