Patient Left with Swollen Face After Dental Procedure

UK: According to a recent report by Ashley Pemberton on lancs.live, a routine dental appointment turned into a nightmare for Claire Shorrock, a 38-year-old teaching assistant from Preston. What was supposed to be a straightforward root canal treatment resulted in Shorrock being rushed to the hospital with severe facial swelling after a chemical mishap during the procedure.

The article details that during the treatment, sodium hypochlorite, a bleaching agent commonly used in root canal procedures, was inadvertently allowed to fill Shorrock’s mouth and penetrate her facial tissues. This occurred due to the dentist’s alleged failure to place a protective guard in her mouth before commencing the procedure.

Woman Hospitalized After Lip Filler Procedure Goes Awry

The Aftermath

The consequences of this incident were both immediate and long-lasting. Shorrock recounted her experience to lancs.live, stating, “As soon as the dentist started drilling into my tooth, I was hit by an overwhelming bleach smell and started experiencing shooting pain in my face. It was absolutely unbearable and I couldn’t help screaming.”

The rapid and extreme swelling of her face led the dentist to initially suspect anaphylactic shock, resulting in Shorrock’s emergency hospitalisation. Upon returning home, she faced an unexpected challenge. “My young children, one of whom is autistic, found my face terrifying and I was reduced to wearing a Covid mask at home to hide the swelling,” Shorrock revealed.

Long-Term Effects

While the initial swelling subsided, Shorrock claims to have suffered permanent alterations to her lip. She told the news site, “My top lip remained numb for a couple of weeks, but once the numbness wore off I was left with constant pain from infection which reduced me to only eating slimming shakes and my lip has been permanently altered since.”

The ordeal has also left psychological scars. “I still have nightmares about my hospital experience and feel extremely nervous about attending the dentist now. The whole experience has affected me so much,” Shorrock shared.

Settlement Reached After Botched Dental Work

Legal Action and Settlement

The report indicates that Shorrock sought legal recourse through the Dental Law Partnership (DLP). Their analysis alleged multiple dental errors by two dentists who had treated Shorrock between 2008 and 2020. These purported errors included inadequate treatment leading to unnecessary decay and the mishap with the sodium hypochlorite.

Following legal action, Shorrock was awarded £14,500 in an out-of-court settlement, although neither dentist admitted liability.

Tim Armitage of the DLP commented on the case, saying, “The significant distress and pain our client has experienced was completely unnecessary. If the dentists involved had provided more satisfactory treatment, her problems could have been avoided.”

The article serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with dental procedures and the importance of proper safeguards. It also highlights the profound impact that medical errors can have on patients’ lives, extending far beyond the physical symptoms to affect their daily interactions and mental well-being.