Dentist numbed wrong tooth- do I complain?

[Lilyflame]

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?

Thank you, I was thinking of ‘telling the practice’ as being a complaint. For me, as an ordinary type of patient who hates to complain, telling the practice would feel like a complaint.

In that case you go complain It it didn’t happen so I wouldn’t complain

not being prefect myself I’m not adverse to making the odd blunder myself so just think no harm done and move on

Ive just checked, and you're spot on.

Good to know dentists get carte blanche to do whatever the fuck they want with no come back.

No they don’t, if you look at my post quoting the Royal College of Dentistry
ScrollingLeaves · Today 01:04

and then a following post from a knowledgeable dentist confirming that OP should complain, but to the practice ( and why that is).

Well not really. Just because something isn't a Never Event doesn't mean it isn't serious. Wrong tooth removal would definitely be classed as an SUI in our Trust. There are lots of incidents that would trigger an investigation, and depending on the outcome, potentially have serious implications for the staff involved which are not on the list of Never Events.

@FixTheBone **

Good to know dentists get carte blanche to do whatever the fuck they want with no come back.

You couldn't be more wrong. See my post below regarding practice complaints procedure and GDC.
There are many levels of safe guarding and protection in place. Dentists and dental practices are heavily regulated. This includes ( but not limited to)

1. Dental reference reports- where patients are selected randomly and examined by regulators to ensure that treatment performed matches up to what's claimed/written in notes. And is to a satisfactory standard. Sanctions are put in place if any concerns
2. Three yearly health board inspections. This includes checks on radiation, pressure vessels, patient notes, decontamination procedures and policies and procedures
3. GDC declarations and checks such as meeting minimum CPD requirements especially including topics such as radiology, legal/ethics and professionalism/equality and diversity.
4. Checks on indemnity cover, practice insurances such as employers liability
5. In early years, practitioners are continually assessed in practice to determine whether they can practice independently
6. HMRC checks
7. Prior approval- large cases must be assessed by NHS regulators before permission to start treatment
8. Duty of candour requirements. Healthcare professionals must be open and honest about adverse incidents and must report to health board and authorities if required.
9. Duty to refer to secondary care, if something hasn't gone to plan or they need help from specialists with difficult cases.

10. Private practice must report to and be regulated by ( in Scotland ) Health Improvement Scotland. I'm sure other parts of UK have similar organisations 11. Support of dental practice advisers in individual health boards who are monitoring and auditing and helping to support practitioners where there are concerns 13. ICO ( data protection) 14. Disclosure Scotland and protecting vulnerable groups ( PVG). Again other parts of the UK have similar 15. Occupational health, to ensure all professionals have up to date health clearance to work 16. References- mandatory requirement for health board in order to get a list number. 17. Practice complaints procedures 18. Health board complaints procedures 19.NHS ( SPSO) ombudsman

I'd say we were one of the most heavily regulated professions and very much have to behave in a professional manner at all times.

How informative this thread is.

Thank you all
It’s the 6th tooth from the front on the right,
don’t know where he was aiming on the top.
the injections on the bottom were different from the ones I had last time, they actually couldn’t deaden it last time, I think because of inflammation.

There are various anaesthetics and techniques used to numb a lower molar. The most common one is an IDB or an inferior dental block. The lower jaw is thick and a single infiltration near the tooth isn't strong enough to effectively numb the molar. The block goes in a the very back of the mouth behind the wisdom teeth in a position that is neither upper or lower region.
Occasionally, for various reasons such as poor technique. Inflammation, unusual anatomy, trauma etc it doesn't work the first time. Very frustrating for dentists, especially if you're running late!!!

Sometimes it feels like the upper teeth are numb instead of the lower. It's a reasonably common complication.

I'm not saying that this necessarily happened in the OPs case. Especially as they said the dentist apologised and offered a discount, which sounds like a mistake was made, but just wanted to make everyone aware that this can happen and it's not necessarily that a mistake was made.

Dentistry can be stressful and complicated. As can the people attached to both the drill and the teeth!

Something similar happened to me where the wrong side of my mouth was numbed. I was booked for a filling in a tooth on my right lower quadrant. I was numbed on the left lower quadrant. An important detail, is that at the prior appointment, an x-ray flagged up a potential problem on a molar on the left side. I declined to investigate this further, preferring to simply monitor it. My instructions were to fix the chipped tooth on the right side only.

The appointment – the left lower quadrant was numbed, not the right. I was impressed with the dentist’s swift apology and genuine remorse.
My response – I did not complain. My dentist acknowledged his mistake. I did not inform the practice. A dental nurse was present who witnessed everything so I’m guessing the practice found out anyway.

Other considerations – I cannot separate a potential complaint from the feelings of the person at the other end. Furthermore, complaining, (especially a habitual response to any adversity,) can have effects on our own health, encouraging negative mind-sets and pessimism. So, if I was going to complain, it would be in a situation where not complaining would be more harmful to me, if that makes sense.

A big shout out to dentists reading this – the incident brought to my attention how stressful your job is; being bounced from patient to patient and needing intense concentration throughout the day. Being one mistake away from a complaint must take its toll. I have reflected on my attitude as a patient, (i.e. being visibly unhappy to see ‘The Dentist,’) and will try to be better. Ultimately, my dentist’s job is correcting mistakes and omissions I made with my oral hygiene when younger. A little bit of grace and gratitude is owed.

So, to all dentists, dental nurses and hygienists - thank you for all you do.

Still pretty painful, might have to go back!

“A big shout out to dentists reading this – the incident brought to my attention how stressful your job is; being bounced from patient to patient and needing intense concentration throughout the day. Being one mistake away from a complaint must take its toll”

I so agree, and for doctors too. The stress must be nearly intolerable.

Of course not. It's no big deal so don't make it one.