Case studies

Failure to diagnose and treat periodontal disease image
Failure to diagnose and treat periodontal disease

13 August 2019

Two practice hygienists contacted the DDU for assistance with a claim alleging a failure to diagnose and treat periodontal disease, brought against them by a patient they had been seeing at their practice for over ten years.

Puffer fish
Surgical emphysema during extraction

16 July 2018

A patient attended a DDU member for extraction of a badly decayed lower wisdom tooth.

Train tracks with rail missing
Erroneous extraction

16 July 2018

A DDU general dental practitioner (GDP) member was visited by a patient complaining of toothache.

Bowling ball and pins
Damage to adjacent tooth

16 July 2018

A patient was referred to a DDU member for extraction of UR8.

Worried patient
Dental phobia

13 July 2018

A patient with dental phobia needed fillings at UR6 and LL6.

Dental tools
No endodontic referral

22 May 2017

A dentist was criticised for failing to refer a patient for endodontic intervention, leading to loss of a tooth.

A garden rose
What's in a name?

22 May 2017

A patient complained when her dental practice failed to address her by her preferred name.

Dental tools
A question of consent

4 December 2013

A patient was referred by the local dental hospital for extraction of the LL8 to a dentist, a DDU member, with a special interest in oral surgery. She was suffering pain and discomfort from the wisdom tooth, which was impacted...

dental x-ray
Fixed versus removable appliances

4 December 2013

A woman in her late 50s with a large number of missing teeth sought advice from a dentist, a DDU member, about the possibility of dental implants and requested fixed upper and lower bridgework to improve her appearance, confidence and comfort. She was a heavy smoker with poor oral hygiene.

Faulty equipment
Contaminated bracket

4 December 2013

A member's experience of dealing with a serious breach of infection control involving a previously used bracket.