Dental Negligence Claims
When dental treatment goes wrong
If dental treatment fell below the standard you should have received, and that caused you avoidable harm, you may be able to make a dental negligence claim. We will listen, explain your options gently, and never pressure you.
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Years' experience
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Can you claim for dental negligence?
You may be able to make dental negligence claims if a dentist or dental professional provided care that fell below the accepted standard, and that failure probably caused you avoidable harm. Dental negligence can involve treatment that was carried out poorly, a problem that was missed, or a risk you were never warned about.
It is not enough that treatment was uncomfortable or did not work out; the claim looks at whether the care fell short and caused real harm. This applies to NHS and private dental care alike. If you are not sure, our team can look into it for you, gently and without any obligation.
What counts as dental negligence?
Dental negligence claims can arise from any of these, where the care fell below the standard expectedA dental negligence claim can arise from any of these, where the care fell below the standard expected
Wrong or careless treatment
The wrong tooth extracted, a filling or extraction that damaged healthy teeth, or a poorly done procedure.
Root canal and nerve damage
A failed or botched root canal, or nerve damage causing lasting numbness, tingling or pain.
Poor cosmetic and restorative work
Badly fitted crowns, bridges, implants or veneers that failed, caused pain or needed redoing.
Missed diagnosis
Gum disease, decay or a more serious condition such as oral cancer not spotted when it should have been.
Infection and poor after-care
Infection from poor hygiene or sterilisation, or after-care that did not manage a problem properly.
Consent not properly taken
Not being warned of the risks of treatment, so you could not make a fully informed decision.
How much compensation for dental negligence claims?
Every dental compensation claim is different, so it is not possible to promise a figure or a meaningful average. What matters is the harm, how it has affected you, and the cost of putting it right.
Every dental compensation claim is different, so it is not possible to promise a figure or a meaningful average. What matters is the harm, how it has affected you, and the cost of putting it right.
- The pain, suffering and effect on your daily life
- The cost of corrective dental treatment
- Lost earnings, now and in the future
- Psychological impact, where there is one
Corrective dental work can be expensive, and a claim aims to cover the cost of putting things right as well as the harm caused. Your solicitor will explain what your claim may be worth once the evidence is in.
Dental negligence claims on behalf of someone else
You can claim for a child, as a parent or guardian, and for an adult who lacks the mental capacity to claim for themselves. In rare cases, such as a missed oral cancer that proved fatal, the family may be able to bring a claim.
We handle these situations sensitively and at your pace, and we will explain clearly who can claim and how.
- claim for a child, brought by a parent or guardian
- A claim for someone lacking mental capacity
- A claim by the family where a loved one has died
How a dental negligence claims are proven
You do not need to gather medical evidence yourself. We arrange the records and the independent experts. Here is what a claim
usually looks at.
Photographs help. If you have before-and-after photos of your teeth, keep them. They can be useful evidence, but you do not need them to get in touch.
No Win No Fee dental negligence claims
Where a claim can be taken on this basis, you can start without paying anything upfront. If the claim is unsuccessful, you will not pay a fee for our work, subject to the terms of your agreement.
If the claim succeeds, an agreed success fee is deducted from the compensation. Your dental negligence solicitors will explain this clearly, in plain English, before you commit to anything.
You will see the full terms in writing before your claim begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before starting your claim.
What counts as dental negligence?
It means dental care that fell below the standard expected and caused avoidable harm. Examples include the wrong tooth being extracted, a failed root canal, nerve damage, poorly fitted crowns or implants, a missed diagnosis such as gum disease or oral cancer, or not being warned of the risks of treatment.
How much can you claim for dental negligence?
It depends on the harm, how it has affected you, and the cost of putting it right. The courts use the Judicial College Guidelines as guidance only. We cannot promise a figure or a meaningful average, but once the evidence is in, your solicitor can explain what your claim may be worth.
What do dentists get sued for most often?
The most common dental negligence claims involve a wrong or difficult extraction, a failed root canal, nerve damage, poor cosmetic or restorative work, a missed diagnosis such as gum disease or oral cancer, and cases where the risks were not properly explained.
Can I claim against an NHS or a private dentist?
Both. An NHS and a private dentist owe you the same duty of care, so a dentist negligence claim can be made either way. The claim is usually made against the dentist’s insurer or indemnity provider, so it does not fall on the individual personally. We will identify the right party for you.
How long do I have to make a claim?
Usually three years, from the treatment or from when you first realised it had caused harm. There are important exceptions: for children the time limit runs until their 21st birthday, and where a person lacks the mental capacity to claim there may be no time limit. If you are unsure, it is always worth asking us to check.
Talk to us, gently and in confidence
Tell us a little about what happened, and we will look into it and get back to you. There is no pressure and no obligation, and a first conversation is free.
- Free, no-obligation and confidential
- No Win No Fee available
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Whether you want to make a claim or simply understand what happened, we can help. A first conversation is free, confidential and without any obligation.
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