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Dental treatment should protect your health and confidence. If you have been harmed by sub-standard care, it is sensible to ask whether you can claim compensation.

What is negligent dental treatment?

Dentists, hygienists and other dental healthcare workers owe a duty of care to provide treatment that meets recognised professional standards. If that standard is not met and you suffer avoidable harm as a result, this may amount to negligence.

The key questions are whether the care fell below acceptable practice and whether that failure caused your injury or loss.

Common examples of negligent dental treatment

Every case turns on its facts, but dental negligence can include:

• Errors during extractions or root canal treatment that lead to avoidable pain, infection or tooth loss.
• Nerve damage causing numbness, tingling or altered taste.
• Poorly planned or fitted crowns, bridges, dentures or implants.
• A failure to diagnose problems such as decay, gum disease or oral cancer.
• Consent issues where risks, alternatives or costs were not properly explained.

Can I bring a dental negligence claim in England & Wales?

If negligent care caused you harm, you may be able to claim for the injury and its consequences. A solicitor will obtain your dental records, take a detailed statement and instruct an independent dental expert to address both standard of care and whether the negligence caused the outcome.

NHS dental services Vs private treatment

Claims can be made after NHS or private treatment. What matters is the standard of care and causation.

How long do I have to start a claim?

In most cases you have three years to start court proceedings. Time usually runs from the date of the negligent treatment or the date you first realised your injury may be linked to that treatment. Different rules apply for children and for those who lack mental capacity.

Learn more by reading: How long do I have to make a medical negligence claim?

How dental negligence compensation is assessed

Compensation aims to put you back, so far as money can, in the position you would have been in if the negligence had not occurred.

Depending on the case, this may include:

• Pain, suffering and loss of amenity.
• The cost of corrective dental and medical treatment.
• Loss of earnings if time off work was required or your future capacity is affected.

Your solicitor will tailor the valuation to your circumstances and to the expert evidence.

Can I claim for cosmetic dental treatment?

Dissatisfaction with appearance alone, such as whitening not being as bright as expected, is not negligence. A claim usually arises only if the treatment fell below professional standards and caused you harm, not simply because you dislike the result.

What do I do if I believe I am suffering from negligent dental care?

Keep copies of all correspondence, treatment plans, invoices and photographs. Ask for your records and any radiographs. Make a note of when symptoms began and how they have progressed. Then speak with a solicitor who deals with dental negligence so your position can be assessed promptly and steps can be taken to protect your claim.

Arrange a discussion with a Middlesbrough or Redcar-based solicitor about negligent dental treatment

With offices in Middlesbrough and Redcar, our medical negligence team advises clients across Teesside, North Yorkshire and beyond on dental claims involving NHS and private treatment.

We will listen, review your records and guide you through each stage with clear advice.

If you would like to talk through what happened and your options, Contact Us for an initial discussion. Or visit Dental Negligence to learn more about our services.

This content is for informational purposes and is not intended as advice of any kind.