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Dentist numbed wrong tooth- do I complain?

88 replies

Lilyflame · 22/11/2024 15:37

Went to private dentist.
already had consultation
cracked lower tooth
dentist was going to drill out filling (already half drilled out) check the crack/root/nerve.
first injection he did at the back,
second one I couldn’t really feel, third one I felt at upper gum.
so I asked wasn’t he going to numb the bottom.
he went very quiet, checked his notes, then apologised.
he got the wrong tooth! If I hadn’t said anything I think he’d have drilled the top tooth.
he got on with the job, apologised again and gave me a discount.
but I just don’t understand how this can happen.
the tooth had a big hole in it, already half drilled out.
Should I make a formal complaint?

OP posts:
coffeesaveslives · 22/11/2024 16:27

Lilyflame · 22/11/2024 16:26

Maybe I didn’t explain it right .
he thought he was operating on a completely different tooth.
even though I’d had a consultation, X-rays, all my notes.
he started to operate on the upper tooth, not the cracked one on the bottom

But he didn't start to operate - he just numbed the wrong area, you mentioned it and he fixed the problem.

I'm not sure what else you want from this?

Mickey79 · 22/11/2024 16:26

No. The dentist has already acknowledged the error, apologised, given you a discount and will have certainly learned from the mistake.

Lilyflame · 22/11/2024 16:26

Maybe I didn’t explain it right .
he thought he was operating on a completely different tooth.
even though I’d had a consultation, X-rays, all my notes.
he started to operate on the upper tooth, not the cracked one on the bottom

OP posts:
coffeesaveslives · 22/11/2024 16:24

Lilyflame · 22/11/2024 16:23

He was going to operate on a numbed tooth, but it was the wrong one.

But he didn't because you told him Confused

This is such a non-event.

Hoppinggreen · 22/11/2024 16:24

Lilyflame · 22/11/2024 16:01

But he would have if I hadn’t told him

But you did so nothing happened

Lilyflame · 22/11/2024 16:23

HawkersSouth · 22/11/2024 16:20

I'm pretty sure dentists check that you are fully numbed before drilling away (or at least that's my experience).

He was going to operate on a numbed tooth, but it was the wrong one.

OP posts:
coffeesaveslives · 22/11/2024 16:22

He would have checked if you could feel anything before he started.

YABU.

HawkersSouth · 22/11/2024 16:20

Lilyflame · 22/11/2024 16:01

But he would have if I hadn’t told him

I'm pretty sure dentists check that you are fully numbed before drilling away (or at least that's my experience).

Lilyflame · 22/11/2024 16:01

BertieBotts · 22/11/2024 15:45

What's the point of the complaint? He numbed the correct tooth and didn't charge for the extra anaesthetic.

People make mistakes, it's not like he damaged a healthy tooth.

But he would have if I hadn’t told him

OP posts:
Shakingreasons · 22/11/2024 15:47

A dentist once injected in the wrong place and froze my whole face including eyelid.

Doggymummar · 22/11/2024 15:46

If you complain I can never go back there. Your comfort is in their hands

BertieBotts · 22/11/2024 15:45

What's the point of the complaint? He numbed the correct tooth and didn't charge for the extra anaesthetic.

People make mistakes, it's not like he damaged a healthy tooth.

Hoppinggreen · 22/11/2024 15:43

No you shouldn't
No harm was done, he apologised and gave you a discount.

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