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Dental Negligence Claims: Your Rights and Compensation

Dental treatment should be carried out with reasonable care and skill. If an NHS or private dentist has provided substandard treatment that caused avoidable harm, you may be able to make a dental negligence claim.

Medical Negligence Consultants offers a free initial assessment and can introduce suitable cases to a specialist dental negligence solicitor from our panel.

What counts as dental negligence?

A claim normally requires evidence that your dentist or another dental professional breached the duty of care owed to you and that this caused injury or additional loss. An unsuccessful treatment or recognised complication does not automatically establish negligence.

Common examples of dental negligence

Select a topic below to learn about avoidable dental injuries, diagnosis failures, treatment errors and consent concerns.

Delayed diagnosis of dental problems

Failing to diagnose tooth decay, periodontal disease, dental infection or suspicious oral lesions may amount to negligence if the delay caused avoidable harm.

Incorrect extractions or damage to teeth

Extracting the wrong tooth, damaging adjacent teeth or performing an unnecessary extraction may justify investigation if it caused avoidable injury.

Dental implants and root canal errors

Poorly planned or performed implant or root canal treatment may cause nerve injury, infection, damage to surrounding structures or the need for corrective work.

Dental infections and aftercare

Failure to recognise or appropriately treat a serious infection, or to arrange necessary follow-up, can lead to avoidable complications.

Consent and orthodontic treatment

Patients should receive appropriate information about material risks and reasonable alternatives. Negligent orthodontic care or failures in informed consent may support a claim where they cause legally recognised harm.

How does a dental negligence claim work?

  1. Free initial discussion: Tell us about the dental treatment, the injury and when it happened.
  2. Specialist solicitor: If appropriate, we introduce you to a panel solicitor experienced in dental negligence.
  3. Investigation: Your solicitor obtains dental records and may seek an independent expert opinion on the treatment and injury.
  4. Claim and settlement: If evidence supports a claim, your solicitor contacts the responsible provider or insurer and negotiates compensation where appropriate. Court proceedings may be needed in some cases.

How long do dental negligence claims take?

A relatively straightforward claim may resolve in approximately 12–18 months. Disputed or complex cases can take two years or longer, particularly where additional treatment or long-term effects must be assessed. These are illustrative estimates, not promises.

How much dental negligence compensation could I receive?

Compensation depends on the avoidable injury and its impact. Examples include damage to teeth, ongoing pain, nerve injury, infection, unnecessary extraction or the cost of corrective dental work. There is no fixed award for a particular procedure.

A successful claim may include damages for pain and suffering as well as proven financial losses such as remedial treatment, travel costs and lost earnings. A specialist solicitor can give a more reliable valuation after reviewing the evidence.

How long do I have to claim?

In England and Wales, the usual time limit is three years from the negligent treatment or your relevant date of knowledge. Different rules can apply to children and people lacking capacity. Contact a solicitor promptly to check your deadline.

Can I claim on a No Win No Fee basis?

Eligible cases may be handled under a conditional fee agreement. Your solicitor will explain any success fee, deductions, insurance arrangements and financial risks before you sign.

How Medical Negligence Consultants can help

We offer a free initial assessment and access to a panel of specialist solicitors. Where appropriate, we can help you find a solicitor experienced in your particular dental injury. The solicitor will provide legal advice and conduct your claim.

Call 0800 612 4970 between 9am and 9pm, seven days a week, or request a free call-back below.

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