What is Dental Negligence — Your Rights & When You Can Claim
If you’ve suffered negligence under the care of a dental professional, our expert legal team is here to support you in seeking compensation.
Fill out the form or call our team on 0330 551 0529 to speak with a dental claims specialist and find out if you could make a claim.
What is Cancer Misdiagnosis?
Dental negligence occurs when a dental professional fails to uphold the standard of care expected of a competent practitioner, and this failure causes avoidable harm. Whether treated privately or under the NHS, patients have a right to safe and effective treatment. When treatment falls below that standard and results in injury, worsening oral health, or other complications, a dental negligence claim may be possible.
Common Examples of Dental Negligence
- Failed or botched root canal treatments
- Wrong or unnecessary extractions
- Poor restorative or cosmetic dentistry (crowns, veneers, implants)
- Negligent periodontal (gum disease) care
- Surgical and orthodontic errors
- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis (including oral cancer)
- Failure to obtain informed consent
- Poor aftercare following treatment
What You Must Prove to Make a Claim
To bring a successful dental negligence claim, you generally need to show:
- Duty of care — automatically owed if you were a patient.
- Breach of duty — the care was below an acceptable clinical standard.
- Causation — the negligent act directly caused harm, such as pain, infection, or corrective treatment needs.
Who Can Claim?
Both NHS and private dental patients may bring claims. Special rules apply for children or those lacking capacity.
Could You Claim Compensation?
Book a free, no obligation call with a dental claims specialist to see if you could be owed compensation.
Common Questions
How much compensation could I receive?
Compensation amounts can differ significantly depending on the circumstances of each case. However, the Courts take into account three primary factors when determining the level of compensation:
- The severity of the injuries
- Duration of the symptoms
- Incurred expenses – Corrective or remedial dental treatment
Your solicitor will ensure that all consequences of the dental negligence are addressed.
Can I make a NO WIN NO FEE claim?
Most of the dental negligence claims we assist with operate on a No Win No Fee basis. This means you do not have to worry about any upfront payments, and if your claim is not successful, you will not be liable for any legal fees*.
What’s the time limit for making a claim?
In the UK, you generally have a 3-year window from the date of the incident to initiate a compensation claim.
However, we understand that discovering dental negligence may happen some time after. In such situations, you have 3 years from the date you first became aware of the negligence to pursue your claim.
Reach out to us today at 0330 551 0529 to discuss your situation.
Get More Information
Our team of dental negligence solicitors are here to assist you in obtaining the care, support, and rehabilitation necessary for managing your situation. Additionally, we will help you secure compensation for any financial setbacks including but not limited to lost income or pensions.
We acknowledge that pursuing legal action may feel overwhelming, especially when dealing with medical issues. However, our compassionate and helpful team is dedicated to simplifying the claims process for you.
Contact us for a free claims assessment, and we can also explore the option of a No Win, No Fee arrangement.
Next Steps if You Suspect Dental Negligence
- Request your dental records (including x‑rays and consent forms)
- Contact specialist dental negligence solicitors for a case assessment by completing the form at the top of this page
Could You Claim Compensation?
Book a free, no obligation call with a dental claims specialist to see if you could be owed compensation.