Failure to X–ray child's teeth led to root canal treatment

What happened

B had a number of appointments with the Practice, including orthodontic treatment, in a four–year period from spring 2010. However, he was never offered any posterior bitewing X–rays (type of X–ray for back teeth) during this time. His mother, Mrs W complained that because of this, extensive tooth decay was allowed to develop in her son's teeth. This resulted in B needing emergency root canal treatment in summer 2014.

Mrs W said root canal treatment would not have been necessary if the Practice had monitored B properly, and this would have a long–term impact on her son. The family spent over £2,600 on having the treatment done privately.

What we found

We fully upheld this complaint. We considered the available evidence and took advice from one of our dental advisers. The Practice had failed to follow relevant guidelines by not offering B posterior bitewing X–rays during the four–year period. During that time there were documented indications that particular teeth, including the tooth that required root canal treatment, needed monitoring. These indicators meant B's risk of decay was increased and the dentist should have taken the X–rays more often.

Had posterior bitewing X–rays been taken, the Practice could have taken preventative measures to reduce the extent of decay in B's tooth, and he would not have needed root canal treatment.

Putting it right

The Practice acknowledged and apologised for the failings we found. It paid B over £2,600 for the cost of the private root canal treatment he had, and paid him £750 in recognition of the overall impact on him for these failings.