Home > Publications > Selected Cases > Selected Investigations Completed December 2002March 2003 > Case no. E.855/01-02
Complaint against a General Dental Practitioner in the East Kent Coastal Primary Care Trust area
Summary of Case
In August 1999 Mr A saw his dentist, Mr T, for a routine check-up. Mr T advised that no treatment was needed but agreed to apply for approval from the Dental Practice Board (DPB) to construct a replacement gold-based full upper denture as Mr A was sensitive to other materials. In November 1999, Mr A was examined by a dental reference officer on behalf of the DPB. The dental reference officer identified a need for four fillings. The new denture was approved by the DPB and Mr A returned to Mr T for the fillings in February 2000. After an appointment on 23 February, Mr A noticed that his gum was cut. He said that he experienced pain for the next few weeks. After the fillings were completed and the denture fitted in March, Mr A experienced more pain. A private dentist subsequently advised him that he needed further dental work. Mr A complained that some of the dental work carried out by Mr T during February and March 2000 was unsatisfactory; and that Mr T failed to identify and carry out all of the dental treatment that Mr A needed. The Ombudsman was satisfied that on the whole the treatment was reasonable. The advice of the Ombudsman’s assessor led the Ombudsman to conclude that Mr A’s teeth could have deteriorated between August and November 1999 to the extent that he did require the four fillings. However, the Ombudsman found that Mr T made a wrong diagnosis with regard to the source of Mr A’s pain. She criticised Mr T’s poor record-keeping and his failure to take radiographs. She upheld the complaint to this limited extent. Mr T apologised for the shortcomings identified; however, as he was no longer working as a dentist, no recommendations were made.
Previous < Contents > Next
Back to top
|
