Woman awarded £16,250 After Decade of Dental Negligence

UK: A woman from Ascot has been awarded £16,250 in an out-of-court settlement after enduring years of alleged dental errors that resulted in significant physical and emotional distress. According to a report published on Mirror.co.uk, Joanne Ashley, 55, claims that repeated mismanagement by dentists at Frankel Dental Care—now known as Eledent Smiles—led to the loss of three teeth and left her grappling with chronic pain for over a decade.

Joanne, a retail worker, described her ordeal as “traumatic,” stating, “I visited Dr Frankel several times over a number of years as I was experiencing discomfort in the upper right side of my mouth.” Despite numerous visits, she alleges that her concerns were not adequately addressed. “I had ongoing issues with infections and an abscess, and was always given antibiotics and sent home again, but the root cause of the pain was never addressed,” she explained.

Transition to New Treatment and Escalating Problems

In 2013, Joanne began treatment under Dr Aman Babber, another dentist at the same clinic. Under his care, she underwent procedures including a tooth extraction, placement of a temporary filling, and the installation of a crown. However, the problems persisted. “The area where the crown had been placed continued to be sore, leading to ongoing issues with pain and swelling,” Joanne recounted.

The severity of her condition reportedly worsened over time, affecting her ability to sleep and eat properly. By October 2021, frustrated by the lack of progress, Joanne decided to seek care elsewhere. She eventually required implant treatment to address the gaps left by the three teeth she lost due to what she describes as errors made during her time at Eledent Smiles.

Legal Action and Settlement

In 2022, Joanne approached the Dental Law Partnership, a firm specializing in cases of dental negligence, to seek justice for her experience. Analysis of her records revealed that “decay and defective restorations should have been diagnosed at an earlier stage,” according to the firm. Had these issues been identified sooner, Joanne could have avoided “significant pain and inconvenience” between 2014 and 2021, including unnecessary root canal treatments and food trapping.

Nicholas Hampson of the Dental Law Partnership commented on the case, stating, “The significant distress, pain, and inconvenience our client has experienced was completely unnecessary. If the dentists involved had provided more satisfactory treatment, her problems could have been avoided.”

Joanne expressed relief at the resolution but emphasized the toll it took on her life. “So much time and money has been spent in pain and on costly restorative treatment, all of which could have been avoided,” she said. “It massively affected my self-confidence and mental health, and tainted several years of my life.”

Broader Implications for Dental Care in the UK

The case highlights broader concerns about the state of dental care in the UK. Research conducted by the Dental Law Partnership found that one in five dental patients (20%) reported experiencing “possible or probable” dental negligence in the past three years. Common issues included delayed treatment leading to avoidable injury, substandard dental work, and mismanagement of gum disease.

Chris Dean, a dentist and solicitor with the Dental Law Partnership, noted, “Dentistry in the UK is in a shocking state. While millions of patients find themselves unable to get any appointment whatsoever, those who are able to get one are worryingly likely to experience poor treatment.” He added that the rise in negligence cases may stem from overworked dentists failing to dedicate sufficient time and care to their patients.

To assist individuals in identifying potential negligence, the Dental Law Partnership has developed a free online self-assessment tool. “Around half of those who likely experienced dental negligence were not aware if they had,” Dean explained. “This tool aims to help patients quickly understand if they may have been a victim.”

Clinic’s Response

Eledent Smiles, formerly Frankel Dental Care, maintains its commitment to high standards of care despite the allegations. A spokesperson for the clinic told Mirror.co.uk, “The dental surgery would like to make it clear that it does not agree with the facts as conveyed by the Dental Law Partnership, but cannot provide details of any patient treatment and management because of its professional duty to protect confidentiality. We take pride in providing the highest standards of treatment and care to all our patients.”

While the clinic continues to receive positive reviews for its services, Joanne’s case underscores the importance of vigilance and accountability in dental practice. For patients like Joanne, the consequences of negligence extend far beyond physical pain, impacting mental health and overall quality of life.

As discussions around improving dental care access and quality continue, this case serves as a reminder of the critical need for transparency and patient-centered care in the industry.