Dental Filling Claims Solicitors
Dental fillings are one of the most common dental treatments carried out in the UK, and the majority of UK adults will get at least one at some stage in life. (In fact, one 2023 study estimated that around 90% of all UK adults had at least one filling.) That makes it one of the most straightforward routine procedures that a qualified dentist can undertake, and in most cases they’re successful.
However, just like all other dental treatments, unfortunately, there are some instances in which dental filling procedures can go wrong. This can be due to unforeseen complications during the procedure itself, or it may (rarely) be due to professional negligence from the dentist.
If you’ve been dealing with unnecessary pain or suffering as a direct result of dental filling negligence, you may be able to make a claim – and that’s where we can help here at Farleys.
Fill in our contact form below, or give us a call on 0330 828 3987 to speak to one of our friendly solicitors today.
How we can help with dental filling claims at Farleys
With more than 60 years of experience behind us here at Farleys, we’ve always been focused on providing a truly outstanding service for our clients, distinguished by our personable and diligent approach. We have a long history of resolving dental filling compensation claims, so you can trust us to understand the level of impact that dental negligence can have on your quality of life, encompassing your physical, mental and emotional health.
At the outset of your case, our dental negligence solicitors always begin by sitting down with you for an in-depth discussion to find out all the details of your case. From here, we can then help to provide more tailored guidance on exploring the various options available to you, and examine which one is most likely to bring you the most satisfactory resolution.
What is a dental filling?
A dental filling is essentially a restorative solution for teeth which have been affected by decay or damage. They’re generally relatively easy treatments for a qualified dentist, and they can help to prevent the spread of more serious infections, potentially averting the need for more complex and involved treatments like root canal procedures.
After administering anaesthetic to a patient, dentists create fillings by drilling out and removing the decay from a tooth, and then insert either a metal amalgam or a composite filling (sometimes called a white filling) into the resulting cavity, so that the tooth can be used normally and painlessly.
What causes a failed filling?
There’s a variety of reasons why a dental filling procedure may fail.
Occasionally, it may be due to negligence on behalf of the dentist. For example, they may have failed to sufficiently remove the decay in the original tooth before replacing the filling. Sometimes, a filling may be placed deeper than necessary, which can be painful for the patient, and may even lead to the need for root canal treatment, or potentially even the loss of the tooth.
On the other hand, a dental filling may fail because it may not have been the best treatment in the first place – perhaps an alternative treatment like a crown would have been better.
Whatever the case, if you think that your procedure has gone wrong and caused you suffering due to negligence, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
Am I eligible to make a dental negligence claim?
You may be eligible to make a dental negligence claim if you can prove that your dentist failed in their duty of care to you. All healthcare providers, including dentists, have a duty of care to their patients – essentially, they are obligated to provide you with a reasonable standard of care.
However, if you can prove that their care fell below the standards of what one would reasonably expect, then it’s likely that they breached their duty of care to you, which can give you reliable grounds for a dental negligence claim. It’s worth noting that establishing a breach of duty will generally require the input of medical experts with a similar or greater level of expertise and training.
Proving that negligence occurred is a challenge in its own right, but in order to claim compensation you’ll also need to show that you’ve endured suffering and hardship as a direct result of your dentist’s negligence.
It’s therefore helpful to gather a range of supporting evidence if you can, including:
- Dental records
- Witness statements
- A second expert opinion
- Relevant photos (for example, depicting your injuries)
- Financial records
Contact a Specialist in Dental Negligence Claims
Wherever possible, Farleys will pursue your claim on a ‘no win no fee’ basis. We appreciate that any kind of legal case can often be stressful to navigate, so our solicitors take care to provide a friendly, personable approach that’s free from unnecessary legal jargon – making it easy for you to get all the key information you need to make informed decisions about your case.
Whatever the details of your dental negligence claim, you can rely on us to handle your case with diligence, efficiency, and flawless expertise.
For free initial advice on pursuing a claim, get in touch with our dental negligence claims solicitors today on 0330 828 3987, or contact us by email to arrange an appointment.
[FAQs]
What are the time limits for claiming dental negligence compensation?
Generally, you have three years to make a claim for dental negligence.
This “limitation period” usually begins from the date that the dental treatment was performed. However, the UK legal system recognises that the consequences of dental negligence aren’t always immediately obvious, and so in some cases you may have an additional three years from the “date of knowledge” – that is, when you became aware that you were being affected by dental negligence.
However, these timescales can be notoriously difficult to establish with any level of precision, which is why at Farleys we’d always advise you to get in touch with us as soon as possible once you think you may have a claim, so that we can work on resolving it as efficiently and effectively as possible.
How long do dental negligence claims take to resolve?
There’s no exact answer to this question, because the answer generally depends on so many variables. Some cases can take as little as a few weeks, whereas others can take years. In general, most cases take at least a few months.
The complexity of the situation, the seriousness of your injuries, the length of time it takes to gather evidence, and the response of your dentist can all play a major part in determining how long a dental negligence claim takes to resolve.
It’s worth saying that a lot of cases are settled amicably long before they get to the court stage. However, if yours is one of the few cases that does indeed end up going to court, you can count on us to be there with you every step of the way.
What are the most common reasons for compensation claims for dentists?
Compensation claims for dentists can arise from a great many potential scenarios, and as we’ve touched on above, the speed at which they’re resolved is often heavily dependent on the specifics of the situation. Some of the most common cases often include:
- A tooth has broken during or after a filling
- Infections have been left inside the tooth after the filling
- The filling has not been correctly attached, or it falls out after the operation
- The dentist has filled in the wrong tooth
- You’re suffering a significant amount of pain or sensitivity after the procedure
- Your dentist treated you without considering alternative options first
- The dentist failed to gain informed consent
- You were not referred to additional tests you should have had
- Correct dental procedures were not followed
- Your filling has been placed too deeply, leading to pain
These are just a few examples – it’s not an exhaustive list! If you believe that one of the above accurately describes your situation, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team.
Why choose Farleys Solicitors?
Farleys Solicitors is a friendly, trusted, and straight-talking firm with over 60 years of experience in serving clients all over the North West and nationwide. Our solicitors draw upon a wealth of knowledge and industry-specific expertise in order to answer all of your most pressing questions regarding dental negligence.
At Farleys Solicitors, we know that every situation is unique. That’s why, in addition to advising you on the best course of action, we also tailor our services to meet your specific needs. We may even choose to take your case on a no-win, no-fee basis.
If you need to speak with one of our specialist dental negligence solicitors about any of our services, feel free to give us a call on 0330 828 3987, contact us using the online chat feature on our website, or email us on info@farleys.com. We’re here to help!