What are my rights in the case of dentist's mistake?

eloy7

In a visit to my NHS, I asked the dentist to check a perfectly fine tooth if there is pressure on its side (the filing had become deep). Without anaesthetics, he dug a hole in it to bring the level of filling higher.

Then, I could not eat anything with that side because of deep pain. I waited for 2-3 weeks to make sure it is not temporary. When I called to get an appointment, they gave me an appointment for 35 days later. When I visited the dentist after 35 days, he said since it has a 1-year guarantee he will refill it but I must pay for the emergency appointment. Then, he gave me a treatment appointment a month later.

I understand the quality of NHS dentistry is not of a high standard, but when they admitted it was their mistake,

1. Why should I wait 2 months in pain to get a simple filling treatment?

2. Why should I pay the appointment fee as they have to check their mistake?

welshdent

Regards 1. We are all busy. What is simple filling to you is a 45 minute appointment slot to us. Lots of other people need those slots too and most have been booked for weeks ahead. Fallow times have created havoc with trying to get patients in. for you to be seen sooner would probably mean someone needing to be cancelled and rearranged. Many of those patients will also have issues that need addressing. Its just how it is at the moment.