Patient Receives £6K Settlement After Dental Treatment Error

Treatment Failure Leads to Tooth Loss and Ongoing Complications

A recent case reported by the Stoke Sentinel highlights the consequences of undiagnosed dental decay, resulting in a £6,000 out-of-court settlement. Jonathan Green, a 54-year-old civil servant, experienced significant dental complications following what began as a routine dental appointment in 2021.

Timeline of Events

According to the Stoke Sentinel’s report, Green’s dental issues began when he attended a routine check-up where he was informed his teeth were “fine.” However, the situation deteriorated when he later experienced pain and swelling, culminating in a partial break of his lower left tooth.

“It’s so embarrassing having a tooth missing. I’m definitely more self-conscious and feel like a haggard old man with this gap,” Green told the Stoke Sentinel, describing the impact on his daily life.

Impact on Quality of Life

The dental complications significantly affected Green’s personal and professional life. During a trip to France in April 2022, he experienced severe dental pain that disrupted his holiday. The situation worsened when a filling fractured, leading to multiple restoration attempts.

Green described the ongoing challenges: “I still can’t chew properly on the left side, as this hole causes food to just press on my gum. It’s very weird and I don’t like it, but I’m stuck with this for the rest of my life. I suffered a year of pain and now a lifetime with a hole in my mouth.”

Legal Proceedings and Settlement

The case was taken up by the Dental Law Partnership in 2023. Nicholas Hampson from the partnership stated: “The distress, discomfort and pain our client has experienced was completely unnecessary. If the dentist involved had provided more satisfactory treatment, his problems could have been avoided.”

Professional Impact and Resolution

The dental issues affected Green’s professional life, particularly his ability to speak at public events. “I had difficulty eating hard foods, it impacted my ability to work and I found myself unable to speak properly at a really important public event. It was really wearing me down,” he reported to the Stoke Sentinel.

While the £6,000 settlement has been reached, the dentist involved has not admitted liability. Green has since changed dental practices, reporting an improvement in his dental health under new care.