When dental care falls below a reasonable standard, subsequent costs quickly pile up. Diagnosis, remedies, leisure, fear.
Recovery is easier with specialist negligence lawyers who are knowledgeable in both dentistry and civil litigation.
What is considered dental negligence?
Negligence is defined as inadequate care that results in injury or financial loss when measured against the standard of a competent physician. Early triage and, if necessary, dental negligence claims help clarify violations, causes and quantifiable losses.
The hidden costs that patients often overlook
Direct refunds rarely cover the full impact, which accumulates over weeks and sometimes months.
- Private restoration fees for re-cementing a crown or bridge are often between £50 and £150.
- Repeated appointments mean loss of earnings and child care, sometimes two, sometimes four visits.
- Pain, loss of comfort, and psychological distress will be assessed with reference to Judicial College guidelines.
- Follow-up costs, night watchman after occlusal changes, hygiene visits, travel and medication.
The context is important. NHS Resolution paid over £2.8 billion on its compensation schemes in 2023-24. Crucially, this figure represents total spending across all clinical programs in the NHS, not just dentistry; Dentistry only makes up a small part of this. This number is a reminder that clinical failure has significant financial consequences and that dentistry is part of this larger picture. Regulators set standards and audit, but only a civil lawsuit will compensate for your personal losses.
Are there real cases, not hypotheses?
Yes. Two patterns emerge in published material. Case A: Lower wisdom tooth surgery. Published British and European studies suggest approximate one-year nerve injury rates of approximately 0.9% for the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) and 0.6% for the lingual nerve (LN). These numbers are estimates within broad published ranges and vary widely depending on surgical technique, patient risk profile, and specific study.
If consent covered material risks and imaging demonstrated careful planning, claims are harder to prove. Where risk discussions were poor or panoramic imaging showed warning signs and CBCT would have been reasonably indicated, omissions in claims are often criticized and can weaken a defence. In the case of serious nerve injuries, the compensation can be up to a five-figure amount.
Case B, endodontic and periodontal care. Reports from defense organizations and companies suggest that endodontic claims are often in the thousands, while periodontal disease claims tend to be higher – often in the low to mid five figures, depending on tooth loss and long-term care.
Real-world reports from companies describe four- and five-figure results after a missed infection leading to extraction, bridge failure or avoidable implant work. The common thread that runs through almost all of them, records and schedules, determines credibility.
How should losses be documented in order to make a robust claim?
Ensure uncomplicated and timely documentation.
- Save receipts for medical treatments, medications, travel and parking in a folder or app.
- Ask your employer for a certificate confirming vacation days, reduced duties and any wage implications.
- Request complete dental records and x-rays, including referrals and consent forms.
- Write an understandable timeline with dates, symptoms and results.
- Contact your GP if pain, sleep or anxiety worsens as treatment and diagnostic records will confirm your information.
Specialist dental experts comment on violations and causes. Quantum experts predict future care, from maintenance to replacement. Although this approach may seem formal, structured documentation expedites cases and improves settlement offers.
How long can you claim?
Generally three years from the date of knowledge in England and Wales. For children, the three-year period begins on their 18th birthday (i.e. usually until they are 21). There are exceptions for capacities and treatments abroad. So seek advice early on, rather than just before a deadline.
When should legal advice be sought?
As soon as damage is suspected and before costly remedial action is taken. This protects evidence, avoids statute of limitations pitfalls, and can allow for interim payments when liability is clear. Consent and record-keeping standards are specific and public, allowing strong cases to be efficiently built while weaker claims are identified early.
Careful documentation, expert evidence and the proper legal process make recovery realistic. When breach of contract and damages are consistent, dental negligence claims can result in compensation, and experienced negligence lawyers can ease the burden so you can focus on recovery.
