Not many appointments are as frightening as an appointment with the dentist. If this trip is inevitable, you hope your dentist will exercise utmost professionalism and provide the oral care you need so you can carry on with your life.
But like other healthcare professionals, it is not uncommon for a dentist to make costly mistakes while attending to you. If you or someone you love experienced complications following a dental procedure, you may be eligible for financial restitution for the resulting losses. But how exactly does dental malpractice happen?
Here are three leading causes of dental malpractice.
X-ray errors
Sometimes, a dentist may misinterpret your X-ray. If this happens, they may fail to give a proper diagnosis; and this is likely to worsen your situation. For instance, this might lead to an unnecessary and costly procedure that can set you up with future issues with your oral health.
Anesthesia errors
Dental procedures like tooth extraction, root canals or dental implants are painful, make no mistake. This explains why most dental procedures are done under anesthesia. If the anesthesiologist administers too little anesthesia, you could experience excruciating pain during the procedure. On the other hand, if they administer too much anesthesia, you might wake up unable to speak or even move. Still, the anesthesiologist cannot leave you under sedation for an extended period as this can lead to a coma, brain damage or even death.
Infections
If you are treated with unsterilized equipment, you may get an infection, like a tooth abscess. Left undiagnosed and treated, these pathogens can spread into your jaw and other areas of your brain. And this can be life-threatening, especially if your immune system is weak.
Dental malpractice is every patient’s nightmare. If you are a victim of dental malpractice, you deserve justice.
