Teenager forced to undergo complex orthodontic treatment that should have been carried out at primary school

Summary 343 |

Mr Q complained that although he had attended his dental practice regularly since age seven, his dentist had failed to recognise that he needed to be referred to an orthodontic specialist because his permanent teeth did not come through.


What happened

Mr Q had to have significant repeated orthodontic procedures in his final year at school while he was trying to manage revision for his exams. He could have had this treatment when he was much younger.

What we found

There were some failings in the way the dentist assessed Mr Q. It would have been appropriate for Mr Q to have been referred to an orthodontist five years earlier than he was, and the dentist's failure to do this fell short of the accepted clinical standard.

The delay in being referred for necessary treatment caused Mr Q significant distress and inconvenience.

Putting it right

The practice paid Mr Q £750 to recognise the distress and inconvenience it had caused. It apologised for the lost opportunity to resolve Mr Q's dental problems earlier.

We did not consider that the practice should pay for private orthodontic treatment, as requested by Mr Q, because he was already having the NHS treatment to which he was entitled.

Health or Parliamentary
Health
Organisations we investigated

A dental practice

Location

West Berkshire

Complainants' concerns ?

Not applicable

Result

Apology

Compensation for non-financial loss