Teeth and dentists

Emmy · 28 February 2006 at 9:31PM

If I wanted to complain about some dental work I had years ago who should I write to or see. Because of this bad professional judgement I am still affected today, I am going to need around £4k worth of treatment and I just got angry that because of this mans bad decision I am now having to go through this pain both physically and finacially.......
Any ideas????
Thanks

Toothsmith · 28 February 2006 at 11:11PM

You could try THESE guys.
I'd be sure you have a cast iron case though, and like all No Win / No Fee lawyers, beware the small print.

Can you absolutely guarentee that it was the dentist's bad decisions, and nothing to do with how you've looked after your teeth?

Sofa_Sogood · 28 February 2006 at 11:21PM

Toothsmith wrote:

You could try THESE guys.
I'd be sure you have a cast iron case though, and like all No Win / No Fee lawyers, beware the small print.

Can you absolutely guarentee that it was the dentist's bad decisions, and nothing to do with how you've looked after your teeth?

Hi Toothsmith

I think I've got a cast iron case, as the dentist that put it right said I'd been 'butchered'

But, and it's a big but ... would I seriously affect the 'offenders' reputation and possible earnings? Or will he be insured for things like that? (I know he'll be insured, but I mean for things like his credibility and capability as a dentist?)

It's not a money thing btw, it's just that I saw another of his patients in as much pain and discomfort as I was in, and imho, he shouldn't be doing dentistry for a living ...

Toothsmith · 28 February 2006 at 11:39PM

It all depends on the direction the case took.

If it went up to the General dental Council for a Serious Professional Misconduct hearing, then he could well be struck off either temporarily or, more rarely, for good.

Those that are struck off temporarily are often closely supervised when they return.

Any finacial award against a dentist should be covered by professional indemnity insurance.

If you are taking action against a dentist it has to be started within 6 years of you becoming aware of the mistreatment.

I.E, so long as you don't know you've been mistreated, the clock is not running. Once you find out, you've got 6 years to begin any action.

Be careful though. I do not have a high opinion of lawyers (As some people don't about dentists) and some of the practices of the dental law groups are a bit on the shady side themselves! Think about all the possibilities for both sides before you begin!

I would never tell a patient 'I think you've been butchered'. I don't think it's a very professional thing to say.

I would always try to winkle out the full story of someones previous dental patterns before jumping to any conclusions over a colleagues work.

I once had a patient attend as a new patient. Seemed a lovely lady, bright and articulate. Wall to wall gunk and plaque all over her mouth - and she said she'd last seen a hygienist 6 weeks before hand!

I did not know what to say, but I was thinking 'What a RUBBISH hygienist!'

I bluffed my way through it, and booked her in to see my hygienist for 4 appointments to gently remove the cack 1/4 of the mouth at a time under anaesthetic.

During the treatment my hygienist was telling me how hard she was to treat. She shuffled and fidgeted and constantly needed breaks, but she got through it.

A couple of months later, I saw her again to review things. - Wall to wall plaque & gunk and breath of dog!!! I'm glad I didn't say anything to her about how bad her previous dental practice had treated her!!

I'm not even beginning to suggest that anything like that is your problem Sofa, but to my mind a dentist that uses words like 'butchered' should be watched very carefully.

Proceed with caution - maybe even another opinion before getting lawyers involved would be worthwhile.

Emmy · 28 February 2006 at 11:42PM

Well, Toothsmith...I'll tell you exactly what happened (whilst trying to remain composed, as this does upset me) When I was 11 years old I wrote a letter to my dentist saying that I hated my two front teeth as they 'stuck out' and could he pull them out and give me a denture.... "of course I can....come in and we will fix that for you" so two perfectly healthy teeth were removed on the request of an 11 year old girl....now my bridge keeps failing and it has been suggested that implants would be suitable....but at around 4k it is alot of money.....I just don't reallly know what to do....but I am so self concious about my teeth.....not the only dentist to let me down either...
I am also having to go to a dental teaching hospital to attempt to rectify a problem that if caught early enough by my dentist could have been avoided. my lower gum was joined too high and kept ripping my gum....eventually it all became infected, ripped again, infected again now I have no gum surrounding the tooth and the bone in the bottom of my jaw has started to die....apparently this COULD have been avoided if he had referred me to have that bit of gum 'snipped' some 18 years ago when I first complained it was happening.....
And I hate going but I have always been never missed a six month appointment ....really sad

Sofa_Sogood · 28 February 2006 at 11:52PM

Toothsmith wrote:

It all depends on the direction the case took.

If it went up to the General dental Council for a Serious Professional Misconduct hearing, then he could well be struck off either temporarily or, more rarely, for good.

Those that are struck off temporarily are often closely supervised when they return.

Any finacial award against a dentist should be covered by professional indemnity insurance.

If you are taking action against a dentist it has to be started within 6 years of you becoming aware of the mistreatment.

I.E, so long as you don't know you've been mistreated, the clock is not running. Once you find out, you've got 6 years to begin any action.

Be careful though. I do not have a high opinion of lawyers (As some people don't about dentists) and some of the practices of the dental law groups are a bit on the shady side themselves! Think about all the possibilities for both sides before you begin!

Thanks Toothsmith. My new dentist told my own daughter (a lawyer ... sorry

) that he'd never seen anything like it either.

It was less than six months ago - so I'm still wondering what to do anyway. The injury still hasn't healed up, so I've got another five years plus to think about it.

Thanks again ... I'll leave you to Emmy. (Sorry about jumping in Emmy and good luck)

Emmy · 28 February 2006 at 11:55PM

Sofa_Sogood wrote:

Thanks again ... I'll leave you to Emmy. (Sorry about jumping in Emmy and good luck)

It's okay....I am way passed the six year thingy so looks like it is no good anyhow

typical!!!

Toothsmith · 1 March 2006 at 12:00AM

How long ago did this happen Emmy, and where were your parents?

Consent cannot be given by someone less than 16. (Unless apparently you need an abortion - but that's a different matter!!)

The bit about your gum could be defended as 18 years ago the thinking on gum problems was different than it is today.

As for the front teeth at the top - I'd need more info before I could judge whether it was as horrific at the time as it sounds today.

I'm signing off now - I'll read your reply tomorrow.

Teerah · 1 March 2006 at 12:02AM

Toothsmith wrote:

I would never tell a patient 'I think you've been butchered'. I don't think it's a very professional thing to say.

Thats exactly what I was going to say, completely unprofessional. Good luck with getting things sorted tho sofa

Emmy · 1 March 2006 at 12:31AM

Thanks toothsmith, not sure what other info you need but my two front top teeth were perfectly healthy...just a bit big, but I am sure I would have grown into them...if you know what I mean

I remember writing a letter to my then dentist saying 'Dear Mr Dentist, I am withdrawing £30 from my post office account and I am buying some new clothes and I would love for you to take out my front teeth as they stick out and give me false ones' My parents (especially my mum) didn't want them taken out but was guided by what the dentist said...you know the professional (sorry that sounds critical doesn't it!!) He said that I could have a bridge in ( I did but after 13 years of wearing a denture) I was 11 and I am now 35..... sh1te you know I am crying writing this. I feel this was awfuk to do this to two healthy teeth at the requst of someone so young ( with or without parental consent)

With regard to my gum problem, I have been going to my dentist for 18 years with this 'problem' ( I don't know if I have explained it properly?? you know the little bit of skin that joins on to your lip and bottom of gum, well mine was joined quite high hence the ripping) but this is at the front on my lower teeth, it started like I say where the gum just 'ripped' salt water and the dentist said no more to be done.....eventually after so many years of my dentist repeating nothing could be done it gets to the stage where I have so little gum around the bottom of my tooth almost the root of my tooth is showing (teaching hospital don't know how it has held in!!) It has also caused my tooth to push itself up, it is extremely wobbly. I asked my dentist to refer me to teaching hospital as I couldn't believe that we can send a man to the moon but not fix my tooth....my dentist then said to me...."if only we had performed a little cut in your gum to stop it from continuing to rip we may not have got to this" Well, I nearly strangled him!!!!

so for years he has been telling me "nothing to be done" then when it is too late he says "if only we had......"

Now the teaching hospital are going to fit me with a bridge (after, bear with me, supporting my teeth from the back then cutting the tooth and "flicking" out the root, so I spend 6 months with like asplint holding it in place!!!) I have given up now....I don't know what is best....I am sat here again with another infection in my gum (need antibiotics but I have been to the doctor so many times he won't allow me to have anymore and (I love this bit) advises me to get my dentist to sort it out ) whilst waiting to go back to the hospital.....I did ask about implants for the bottom but as this has been (i feel) mishandled and ignored even in the last two years never mind 18.... the bone in my jaw has died and it looks like another tooth will go the same way according to the xray........

I am adult enough to know that because of my bad experiences with a dentist not all dentists are rubbish ( but it does mean I need 4mg of diazipam to go now!!) I think that I feel overwhelmingly let down by the two dentists I have been to. Like I say there hasn't been a period in my life where I haven't attended the dentist as i wanted to look after my teeth but in my efforts I seem to have achieved the opposite.

I just need a wonderul dentist to take me on and fix everything....
Thanks for listening
Emmy

Sofa_Sogood · 1 March 2006 at 12:32AM

Teerah wrote:

Thats exactly what I was going to say, completely unprofessional. Good luck with getting things sorted tho sofa

Thanks Teerah. I just typed a post out and dial-up conked out, but it might reappear. If not, I would agree with you. I've never known one profession say anything bad against another profession, because in my eyes, it makes all of the profession look bad. I won't say what trade I'm in, apart from to say it involves a lot of safety, so although we don't always close ranks, it's usually wise if we stay schtum so to speak.

Despite the fact it's cost me upwards of £600 plus so far to put things right, some of which I'd have paid without seeing the other dentist - but it's still rising.

I'm sure if I typed enough, the dentist that originally caused so much damage could be identified, so I'll be vague.

What worried me was another of his patients was left in the same state as me, except she was on benefits. (Why aren't surgeries a bit more private?

) and I can only think the only step she could take was to go to A&E.

I'm due back for more treatment next week, so although I won't mention 'butchery' - I'll ask him if he's anywhere near to finding out what happened to me and let you know.

Thanks again

Teeth and dentists

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