Dental Negligence Claims

Common Types of Dental Negligence

Dental negligence can arise during routine appointments, emergency care, complex restorations, or cosmetic treatments. Some of the most frequent issues our clients face include:

Incorrect or failed tooth extractions

One of the most common negligence scenarios involves extractions performed incorrectly, causing severe pain, damage to surrounding teeth, or leaving behind fragments that later become infected. In some cases, the wrong tooth is removed altogether, often requiring extensive corrective treatment.

Misdiagnosis or delayed dental diagnosis

If a dental professional fails to diagnose issues such as gum disease, decay, infections, abscesses or oral cancer, the delay can cause serious deterioration. A timely diagnosis could have prevented the progression of your condition, so you may be entitled to a claim.

Dental nerve damage

Nerve injury can occur during extractions, implant placement, root canal work or injections. Damage to the inferior alveolar or lingual nerve can result in long-lasting or permanent numbness, tingling, loss of taste, or severe pain.

Root canal treatment errors

A poorly performed root canal can leave infected tissue behind, damage the tooth structure, or cause perforations. This often leads to further procedures, tooth loss or chronic infection.

Dental implant negligence

Implant claims often involve poor planning, incorrect placement, inadequate aftercare, or the use of unsuitable techniques. Failed implants can lead to bone loss, infection and significant aesthetic or functional problems.

Cosmetic dental errors

Cosmetic work, such as veneers, crowns, whitening or orthodontic treatment, must be carried out to a high standard. Errors can result in damaged teeth, gum irritation, bite problems, or an appearance that is significantly different from what you were led to expect.

Can I Make a Dental Negligence Claim?

You may be able to make a dental negligence claim if your treatment fell below the standard expected of a competent dental professional and this caused you avoidable harm. It doesn’t matter whether your treatment was NHS or private; both types of providers owe the same duty of care. If negligence caused you harm, you have the right to pursue compensation.

If you’re unsure whether what happened counts as negligence, our legal team can review your experience in a single, free conversation and advise whether you have a potential claim.

How Much Compensation Can I Get For a Dental Negligence Claim?

Compensation for dental negligence varies depending on the type of injury, the severity of the damage and how it has affected your life. Dental claims can include compensation for both physical harm and the wider impact of negligent dental treatment.

Dental negligence compensation guide:

Compensation tends to reflect:

• the pain and suffering caused
• the cost of remedial dental work
• any long-term complications, such as nerve damage
• the impact on eating, speaking or appearance
• psychological distress
• time off work and future financial losses

Some claims involve straightforward injuries, while others include significant ongoing treatment. Once our experts understand the full impact of your injury, we can provide a clearer estimate of the compensation you may be entitled to.

How to Make a Dental Negligence Claim

The process of making a dental negligence claim is designed to be as straightforward and supportive as possible. Our experts take on the legal and investigative work so you can focus on recovery.

Step-by-step dental compensation claim guide

Initial enquiry: We begin with a free consultation where you tell us what happened. Once we understand the circumstances, we can advise whether you may have a claim.

Case assessment: Your case is reviewed by dental negligence specialists who confirm whether we can take it forward.

Gathering dental records: If we accept your claim, we will obtain your dental records from all relevant providers to build a full picture of the treatment you received.

Independent expert evidence: We work with independent dental specialists who assess whether your treatment was negligent and whether it caused the injuries you’ve experienced.

Submitting the claim: Once we have supportive evidence, we present your claim to the defendant and invite them to accept responsibility.

Negotiation and compensation: If liability is accepted, we negotiate to secure a fair level of compensation that reflects both your injuries and your financial losses. If the case is disputed, we continue to act on your behalf, always focusing on achieving the best outcome for you.

Time Limits for Dental Negligence Claims

When making a dental negligence claim, there is a three-year time limit from when you believe you have received negligent dental care. After three years have passed, it is unlikely that you will be able to make a claim; however, there are some exceptions:

• If you are making a dental negligence claim on behalf of a child, there is no time limit until the child turns 18 years old. As soon as the child turns 18, the three-year time limit will then apply. 
• If you are claiming on behalf of someone who cannot make a dental negligence claim, there is no time limit. 

If you are unsure about whether or not you can still make a claim, give us a call, and our dental negligence experts will be able to assess your claim and see whether or not you could be entitled to compensation.