If you’ve been diagnosed with gum disease and believe your dentist may have been negligent in their care, it’s essential to take action as soon as possible. If you feel that the signs of gum disease were present but went unnoticed or untreated, you may have valid grounds for gum disease compensation.
Regular trips to a dental hygienist will keep your teeth and gums healthy, aiding in maintaining excellent oral health. The frequency of visits depends on your circumstances or as your dentist advises. However, as a general guideline, the standard recommendation is every six months.
A dental hygienist’s visit typically involves a comprehensive examination of your gums and teeth to identify any risk or presence of gum disease or other issues. Additionally, it includes a routine cleaning, often called a scale and polish, to eliminate any stains and thoroughly clean hard-to-reach plaque.
After a dental cleaning, experiencing some tenderness in the gums is not usually cause for concern. This is because the cleaning process involves the removal of plaque, which can irritate your gum tissue. However, if you experience soreness, it should be mild and fade quickly. Any discomfort experienced should be gone within a day or two, and your gums should feel as they did before you had the cleaning. It is important to note that if your gum pain persists for an extended period or if the pain worsens with time, it’s wise to revisit your dentist. This will help make sure that there are no underlying issues that need attention and that you have not suffered any gum damage during the dental cleaning.
How we can help with gum damage and gum disease claims at Farleys
For more than 60 years, Farleys has been dedicated to providing exceptional service to our clients through a personalised and focused approach. Our ample experience in handling gum damage and gum disease claims has given us an in-depth understanding of the effects of dental malpractice on physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
Our legal experts, who specialise in dental negligence, will work closely with you to determine whether you have a case. Through a consultation, we will gather all the necessary information to provide you with tailored advice and explore all potential solutions. We will decide and explain which of the options available will most likely result in a positive outcome for you.
What causes gum damage?
Gum damage can happen for a variety of different reasons, such as poor oral hygiene, hormonal changes, and dental negligence. To avoid gum damage, it is crucial to understand the underlying causes. If you are experiencing symptoms, you can determine whether it’s your dentist’s fault.
Here are a few factors that can affect your gum health:
- Poor Oral Hygiene: Not brushing or flossing regularly and skipping dental check-ups can cause plaque to build up, which can turn into tartar and lead to gum irritation and infection.
- Smoking/Tobacco Use: Smoking can make it harder for your body to fight gum infections, as it weakens your immune system. It can also slow down the healing process by restricting blood flow to your gums.
- Certain Medications: Certain medicines can cause dry mouth by reducing saliva flow. Saliva helps keep the mouth clean; decreased saliva production can lead to gum problems.
- Medical Conditions: Health issues like diabetes and certain autoimmune diseases can increase the risk of gum disease.
- Dental Negligence When Treating Or Diagnosing Problems: Dental negligence can harm gums through delayed treatment of infections, subpar care, and failure to identify problems such as gum disease in the early stages.
- Dental Negligence While Cleaning: Improper cleaning techniques, such as the use of improper equipment, overly harsh cleaning techniques or a lack of professional skill and competency.
If your dentist fails to identify the signs of gum disease and diagnose it in its early stages, and the damage caused by this lack of care becomes significant, this can be considered gum disease negligence, and you may have grounds for a claim.
All of the above can cause significant discomfort and stress for the patient. If you feel like you have been affected by dental negligence, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our knowledgeable team for assistance.
Am I eligible to make a dental negligence claim?
If you believe that your dentist has not provided a reasonable standard of care, you may have grounds to file a dental negligence claim. Dentists, like all healthcare practitioners, are expected to meet a certain standard of care when treating their patients.
However, if you can provide sufficient evidence that your dentist did not meet this consideration standard, they likely breached their duty of care to you, which can support your gum disease claim. It’s important to remember that proving a breach of care often requires the opinion of medical experts with similar or higher levels of expertise and training.
However, even then, proving negligence can be a complicated process. In addition, if your dentist failed to provide a reasonable standard of care, you must also demonstrate that their negligence has caused you harm.
To further support your claim, we advise that you gather as much evidence as possible, which may include:
- Dental records
- Witness statements
- A second expert opinion
- Relevant photos (for example, depicting your injuries)
- Financial records
Contact a Specialist in Dental Negligence Claims
At Farleys, we understand that dealing with legal matters can be a challenging and stressful experience. That’s why our solicitors take a friendly approach and avoid using unnecessary legal jargon to ensure you can make informed decisions easily. We are dedicated to handling your dental negligence claim with the highest level of respect and expertise, regardless of your past experiences.
We also pursue claims whenever possible under a ‘no win, no fee’ arrangement. This means you won’t have to worry about costs unless your claim is successful.
If you’re looking for some initial advice on making a dental negligence claim, our dental negligence claims solicitors are here to help. You can contact us today at 01254606008 or schedule an appointment via email. We’re committed to supporting you every step of the way!
What are the time limits for claiming dental negligence compensation?
Filing a claim for dental negligence has a time limit of three years, which typically starts from the date when you received the dental treatment. However, the UK’s legal system acknowledges that the effects of dental negligence may not become apparent immediately. In some cases, you may have an additional three years from the “date of knowledge” which is when you first realised you had been affected by dental negligence.
The calculation of these timeframes can be complex, so we strongly advise you to contact us as soon as you suspect you may have a claim. By taking this proactive approach, we can address your case promptly. Another thing to note is that most dental negligence cases are settled peacefully without needing to go to court. However, you can rest assured that if your case goes to court, we are here to support and guide you through the process from start to finish.
What are the most common reasons for compensation claims for dentists?
Dental negligence compensation claims can stem from a variety of situations, and the duration required for resolution largely hinges on the unique circumstances of each case. Typically, some of the most frequently encountered situations involve:
- Complications because of an inadequate assessment, such as failing to diagnose gum disease
- Sub-standard dentistry resulting in poor results, i.e. gum damage after dental cleaning
- Failing to manage infections or complications after or during the procedure successfully
- Failing to meet the professional standards necessary for the treatment (not adhering to the accepted standard of care)
- Negligent post-op care, such as lack of or inadequate follow-up care after a procedure, leading to the client’s unnecessary suffering or defective results
- The use of defective materials or the mishandling of equipment during the treatment
- Lack of competency as a dentist to carry out the necessary treatment efficiently
Why choose Farleys Solicitors?
Farleys Solicitors is a well-established firm that has been serving clients in the North West region and across the country for over 60 years. Our team of solicitors have the relevant dental industry knowledge to handle your damaged gum claims efficiently and transparently.
We understand that every case is unique. That’s why we provide personalised advice and guidance on the most appropriate action. We also handle our dental negligence cases on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis whenever possible. So, you can rest assured that we’ll do everything we can to help you get the compensation you deserve.
If you need the expertise of one of our specialised dental negligence solicitors or have any queries about our services, please feel free to contact us. You can reach us via phone at 01254606008, use our website’s online chat feature, or email us at info@farleys.com. We’re always here to assist you!