Legal action against dentist?

[Littleelffriend]

Hi all, looking for advice from anyone who has done this/and legal professionals.
I have always visited the dentist every six months. I registered with a new dentist last year due to a house move. At my first appointment he told me that I had gum disease which was so bad my teeth were going to fall out. I was obviously really upset as gum disease has never been mentioned to me before . I have since been referred to a consultant and am indeed going to lose teeth, and will have to have ongoing treatment as the bones which hold my teeth in place are disintegrating. I am angry that my previous dentist didn't pick up on this, as the outcome could have been much better if caught sooner. Where do I stand legally with regards to taking legal action against my previous dentist?

www.nhs.uk/chq/pages/1777.aspx?categoryid=74&subcategoryid=742

Look at this link in how to make a complaint.

Alternatively, you could try contacting one of the many Medical Negligence No win No fee legal firms that are popping up everywhere.

How dreadful - so sorry to hear this.

My auntie was in a very similar position - regular check ups for years and then changed dentist who diagnosed terrible gum disease and said most teeth would need to be removed and replaced with implants etc.

She got a second opinion (which confirmed what the new dentist said) and wrote to the original dentist enclosing copies of the two reports etc explaining that she was considering legal proceedings. The dentist admitted he was in the wrong and made a large payment towards her treatment as a settlement.

Luckily, they managed to save quite a few teeth but she had an awful and was extremely distressed by the whole experience.

Wishing you all the best.

Thank you both for your replies. I'm seeing the new dentist tomorrow so will ask for a hard copy of his findings. I'm just gutted I'm only 34