Most people will require dental care at some point in their lives. And when that time comes, they trust their dentists to provide the highest quality of care and treatment. However, there are instances when dental procedures go wrong, or dentists make mistakes resulting in harm or additional problems for their patients. Patients may be compensated if their dentist’s failures constitute dental malpractice.
Dental malpractice is when a dentist fails to provide the standard level of care expected in the dental profession, harming the patient. While not all dental complications or unfavorable outcomes can be attributed to malpractice, certain circumstances may warrant legal action and the pursuit of compensation. Read on to explore scenarios where you might be eligible for compensation due to your dentist’s negligence or errors.
Failed procedures and substandard treatment
One common scenario that may entitle you to compensation is when a dental procedure fails, or you receive substandard treatment. Examples of failed procedures include:
- Dental implants that do not integrate properly
- Root canals that result in persistent infections
- Fillings that fall out shortly after placement
If it can be proven that the failure or substandard treatment resulted from the dentist’s negligence or incompetence, you may have a valid compensation claim.
Misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis
Another situation where you may be entitled to compensation is when your dentist misdiagnoses or delays the diagnosis of a dental condition. For instance, if your dentist fails to identify and treat oral cancer in its early stages, leading to a worsened prognosis or the need for more invasive treatment, you may have grounds for a malpractice claim. Timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial in dentistry, and any negligence in this area can have serious consequences.
While people entrust their dental health to the expertise of dentists, there are instances when their failures can lead to harm and complications. If you have experienced a failed procedure, substandard treatment or misdiagnosis, you may be entitled to compensation for your dentist’s negligence.