Article title index
This index lists all the case histories in the library. Just click on the links to read the case history.
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Case Histories
- A sensitive issue - 1 February 2002
A dentist used a diamond bur in an air rotor to strip the interdental enamel from imbricated lower incisors causing severe sensitivity for the patient.
- A view from abroad - 31 May 2008
The following case study illustrates the importance of informing patients of the lifespan of their dental treatments and anticipating a timetable of future treatment.
- A whiter shade of pale - 31 May 2008
DDU members are reporting an increasing number of complaints and claims arising from the provision of tooth bleaching. The following case history concerns that of a young man whose expectations proved too great.
- Administrative error - 1 February 2002
A number of administrative errors resulted in delay treating LR7 and its subsequent unnecessary loss.
- After-effects from local analgesia - 5 April 2002
A patient suffered extended swelling, numbness and bruising following dental treatment under local analgesia.
- An optimistic claim - 5 June 2002
A patient's tooth fractured during extraction and the remainder of the root was surgically removed 5 months later. The patient claimed damages in excess of £60,000, most of which related to loss of earnings.
- Avoid wrong extractions - read the records - 6 May 2002
Incorrect record reading resulted in a new associate removing the wrong teeth.
- Claim for alleged inappropriate treatment defended - 28 February 2007
At the first attendance of a new patient, a dentist noted substantial dental decay and a chronic periodontal condition. In particular UL6 was heavily restored with gross recurrent caries around the margins of the restoration.
- Damage from air polisher? - 7 April 2002
Alleged damage to upper central incisor during tobacco stain removal with an air-jet polisher by a dental hygienist.
- Delayed referral - 1 March 2002
Displacement of upper third molar into maxillary antrum. Failure to determine its position and arrange prompt and appropriate specialist referral.
- Denture dissatisfaction - 10 December 2002
A patient complains of pain, distress and cosmetic embarrassment following the fitting of a new implant retained overdenture.
- Difficult children - 3 July 2002
Anybody who has pointed a toothbrush in the direction of a child will appreciate the difficulties encountered by dentists when treating them. These two case histories involving uncontrollable children show how a complaint can involve the GDC, the pol
- Displaced root - 6 January 2002
Displacement of palatal root on extraction into the maxillary antrum which needed to be removed under general anaesthesia.
- Fainting following extraction - 27 February 2003
A 12-year old fainted following administration of anaesthetic for a series of extractions. The mother alleged that the dentist had injected her child five times giving excess anaesthetic.
- Fractured instruments - 7 April 2002
A patient was left with fragments of fractured instruments in two upper pre-molar teeth following root canal treatment. Subsequently both teeth were heavily restored but have a poor prognosis.
- GDC Professional Conduct Committee - 1 April 2002
A dentist was brought before the Professional Conduct Committee for failing to advise the parents personally of his decision to remove their children from his list.
- Inadequate tongue protection - 3 June 2002
Although a dentist had taken precautions, the patient sued because her tongue bad been cut during treatment. The dentist was vulnerable to the allegation of negligence and a settlement was made.
- Inadequate treatment - 10 July 2002
On the advice of her previous dentist, a patient complained of substandard treatment following a lengthy period of restorative work.
- Inhaled tooth - 12 July 2002
A child inhaled a tooth during extraction; obstructing his breathing and requiring hospital treatment to obtain respiratory control. The case went to trial and raised some important issues about correct procedure.
- Management of dental pain - 19 December 2006
A dentist provided an emergency consultation on a Thursday evening for a patient complaining of severe pain in the upper right quadrant of her mouth. The patient was not an NHS registered patient at the practice and the dentist clearly explained that it would therefore be necessary for her to pay a private fee of £50.
- Misdiagnosed root fracture - 5 April 2002
Failure to diagnose root fracture resulting in inappropriate treatment and inevitable loss of an upper central incisor.
- Misdiagnosis of acute pulpitis - 1 September 2002
Failure to diagnose acute pulpitis as opposed to wisdom tooth symptons and administrative delays in arranging follow up treatment.
- Penicillin allergy - 11 September 2002
A dentist overlooked a patient's recorded allergy to penicillin and prescribed a course of amoxycillin. The patient subsequently suffered an anaphylactic shock.
- Permanent scarring - 5 October 2002
The patient had scarring at the corner of her mouth allegedly from damage during routine surgery.
- Prescription error - 9 May 2002
A patient was prescribed amoxycillin but his dental records indicated he was allergic to penicillin.
- RCT hazard - 2 May 2002
Ingestion of an instrument during root canal treatment which subsequently caused the patient symptons.
- Retained root - 5 September 2002
Dentist unable to locate mesio-buccal root during surgical extraction of UR7. The patient did not return the following week as planned and two months later needed surgery for an oral-antral fistula.
- Retained root - 20 December 2002
A dentist found himself the subject of a claim about a retained root from a previous extraction by another dentist years before.
- Trauma to floor of mouth - 4 April 2003
The rotating bur of the air turbine caused a laceration to the patient's mouth which led to hospital treatment being needed some months later.
- Undiagnosed oral cancer - 9 November 2002
A patient visited her dentist with a large painful ulcer on the side of her tongue. The dentist thought the ulcer was of traumatic origin and provided routine care but the patient died within a year.
- Unexpected complication of dental extraction - 5 February 2002
The unexpected complication of a fractured tuberosity during the removal under general anaesthesia of an upper second molar. The patient was immediately referred to a specialist unit.
- Wedding teeth - 1 October 2002
A dentist received an adverse dental reference officer's report regarding the maintenance of anterior teeth and the provision of a partial denture for a patient with severe chronic periodontitis and extensive caries.
- Wrong tooth extracted - 6 March 2002
An orthodontist recommended removal of a patient's upper first pre-molar teeth but unfortunately the dentist removed the equivalent lower teeth by mistake.
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