O’Reilly Stewart Solicitors recently obtained a settlement of £50,000.00 on behalf of our client who suffered significant injuries due to negligent treatment provided by his former dentist. The settlement was made without admission of liability. Claire Hunt dealt with the matter.
Our client had attended his former dentist (“the Defendant”) for several years and following the Defendant’s retirement, he came under the care of another dentist. At that stage, it was noted that that in addition to widespread failings in relation to the bridges which the Defendant had provided, there was a failure to diagnose and treat periodontal disease over a number of years. Both his new dentist and a Specialist in Restorative Dentistry noted that he had undiagnosed generalised moderate chronic periodontitis necessitating extensive treatment. There was also a loss of attachment affecting several teeth. Generalised bone loss was also evident. Thereafter an appropriate treatment regime was put in place and our client responded well to the same.
Our client instructed us to investigate the standard of treatment provided by the Defendant. We therefore obtained copies of his clinical records and instructed an independent General Dental Practice expert and an independent Periodontist. It was our experts’ opinion that the treatment which the Defendant had provided fell below the standards to be expected of a reasonably competent General Dental Practitioner. For example, it was noted that the Defendant failed to exercise reasonable skill and care when planning the bridge treatment and that he failed to take regular x-rays and diagnose and monitor the progression of our client’s periodontal disease and therefore caused and permitted our client’s condition to deteriorate.
As a result of the above, our client suffered avoidable pain and distress and developed chronic periodontitis. He also suffered the avoidable loss of a number of teeth and required implants and replacement bridges at significant expense. He also required counselling and will need further dental treatment in the future e.g. additional hygiene treatment on a regular basis.
Whilst it was necessary to issue High Court proceedings, it was ultimately agreed that our client would receive £50,000.00 to reflect the avoidable pain, suffering and inconvenience which he had endured and will endure in the future.
