Dentists are highly trained specialists who offer a broad range of preventative and cosmetic treatments to their patients. Most dentists offer extremely high standards of care; however, mistakes do happen, and they can be painful and traumatic for those that experience them. If you have suffered an injury whilst under the care of a dentist, or if you have experienced poor aftercare that has resulted in ongoing dental health issues, you may be able to bring a dental negligence compensation claim.
Bringing a dental negligence claim
Dentists perform routine and complex treatments and procedures for their patients each day and, in most cases, they are completed without any complications. However, there are occasions when dentists make mistakes that lead to significant issues for their patients.
Scenarios, where you may be able to bring a claim for dental negligence, include:
- Failure by your dentist to take accurate medical information prior to commencing a dental treatment.
- Failure by your dentist to diagnose a significant dental issue such as periodontitis (gum disease).
- Where your dentist has failed to correctly fit an implant.
- Where your dentist has been careless during a procedure and failed to remove a foreign object from your mouth during treatment.
- Where cosmetic procedures (such as teeth whitening, veneers, or crowns) went wrong, causing significant pain and stress.
- Where tooth extraction operations have been performed incorrectly, causing damage to the nerves and gums.
- Where your dentist failed to follow acceptable standards of hygiene leading to an infection.
- Failure by your dentists to provide adequate radiology or imaging.
Of course, there may be many other valid scenarios where it is possible to bring a dental negligence compensation claim. Speak to one of our specialist medical negligence solicitors today for further advice.
Starting the claims process
If any of the scenarios above sound similar to your experience, there are a number of steps you will need to take to initiate your dental negligence claim. This includes the following:
- Contact a specialist dental negligence solicitor – it’s important to work with a firm that has a firm track record in bringing medical negligence cases in Ireland. Be sure to thoroughly check the credentials of the solicitor who takes on your case.
- Obtain your medical records – you will not be able to bring a case without obtaining the records taken by the medical staff who treated you for your injury. Your solicitor can request these records on your behalf whilst also arranging for them to be assessed by an independent medical expert.
- Drafting a letter of claim – if the independent medical expert concludes that medical negligence has occurred, the next step will be for your solicitor to draft a Letter of Claim, outlining your case and a suggested settlement. This will be sent to the dentist or medical practitioner who treated you.
- Bringing the case to court or settling outside of court – this will depend entirely on whether your dentist medical practitioner chooses to contest the claim or agree to settle without court proceedings. Your solicitor will be able to guide you through this stage of the process.
Useful resources
Some links relating to making a complaint about your dentist that you may find useful.
- Irish Dental Association – Dental Complaints
- Complaints – Dental Complaints Resolution Service
- DentistryiQ – Review of Dental Negligence
About McCarthy + Co
With more than 30 years of experience in dealing with medical negligence cases, McCarthy + Co. has expertise in bringing successful claims against dentists and other negligent dental staff. We are a family-run business, and we pride ourselves on offering honest, impartial, and helpful advice.
Our offices are based in Dublin and Cork, but we work with clients throughout Ireland in locations ranging from Galway to Waterford. You can count on us for legal advice, guidance, and assistance on any form of personal or medical injury.
Testimonials for McCarthy + Co. Solicitors LLP
I would fully recommend McCarthy + Co. Solicitors to anyone that needs legal services. They were very efficient and professional at all times. The gave very helpful advice and ensured to explain everything in simple terms so I could understand. Their communication was excellent at all times, kept me informed throughout the entire process. Also they were very understanding and did not force or rush me to make any decisions. They were very accommodating when I was working and unable to reply to them straight away.
Read more verified reviews about us on Trustpilot.
Dental Negligence Claims
If you have experienced poor dental care and would like to instigate a dental negligence claim, get in contact with our specialist solicitors today to make a start on your claim or to gather more information. Call us on 1800 390 555 and an experienced member of staff will discuss your situation and potential next steps. You can also email info@mccarthy.ie and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
In contentious business, a legal practitioner shall not charge any amount in respect of legal costs expressed as a percentage or proportion of any damages (or other moneys) that may become payable to his or her client or purport to set out the legal costs to be charged to a junior counsel as a specified percentage or proportion of the legal costs paid to a senior counsel. A legal practitioner shall not without the prior written agreement of his or her client deduct or appropriate any amount in respect of legal costs from the amount of any damages or moneys that become payable to the client in respect of legal services that the legal practitioner provided to the client.
