Dental Negligence Claims

You may be able to make a dental negligence claim if a dentist, hygienist or other dental professional provided treatment that fell below an acceptable standard and caused avoidable injury, pain, additional treatment or financial loss. Claims can arise from both NHS and private dental care.

Dental negligence claims may involve failed root canal treatment, unnecessary or incorrect extractions, nerve damage, poor dental implant placement, negligent crowns or veneers, periodontal disease, delayed diagnosis, medication errors, equipment injuries or inadequate restorative and cosmetic dental work.

A poor outcome alone does not necessarily mean the treatment was negligent. However, you may have grounds for a claim if the dentist failed to diagnose the problem correctly, carried out the procedure below an acceptable standard, damaged surrounding tissue or failed to respond appropriately to complications.

You may be able to claim if avoidable nerve damage occurred during an extraction, implant procedure, injection or other dental treatment. Symptoms can include numbness, tingling, altered sensation, pain or loss of taste. Independent expert evidence is usually needed to determine whether the damage resulted from negligent care.

Yes. Claims may arise from poorly fitted crowns, veneers, implants, bridges, teeth whitening or other cosmetic procedures where treatment caused avoidable damage, pain, infection, poor appearance or the need for expensive corrective work.

Compensation may cover pain and suffering, the cost of corrective treatment, specialist restorative dentistry, medication, travel expenses, loss of earnings and other financial losses. The value of your claim will depend on the severity of the injury and the long-term effect on your health and wellbeing.

Your solicitor will usually obtain your dental records, X-rays, scans and treatment notes before instructing an independent dental expert. The expert will assess whether the treatment fell below an acceptable professional standard and whether this caused the injury or additional treatment you experienced.

In most cases, court proceedings must be started within three years of the negligent treatment or the date you first became aware that negligence may have caused your injury. Different rules can apply to children and people who lack mental capacity, so early legal advice is recommended.

Many dental negligence claims are settled through negotiation without a full court hearing. Court proceedings may still need to be issued to protect the claim or resolve disputed issues. If this becomes necessary, your solicitor will explain the process and support you throughout.

No Win No Fee funding, also known as a Conditional Fee Agreement, may be available for suitable dental negligence claims. Wollens can assess your circumstances and explain the funding options, potential costs and any applicable deductions before you decide whether to proceed.