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Rhode Island Dental Malpractice Lawyer | Slepkow Law

Going to dentist can often be an uncomfortable experience. However, other than the occasional nick or pinch, more good is done in the dentist chair than harm. Dentists, like doctors, must adhere to the same professional standards and provide a optimal level of care to patients of all ages. Unfortunately, some dentists do not adhere to this professional responsibility and engage in certain forms of malpractice.

Rhode Island Dental Malpractice Lawyer

Even typical procedures like cleanings, cavity fillings, root canals or the placement of bridges or crowns can lead to serious complications that can have a profound impact on an individual’s life. Not only can it affect speech, taste and feeling in your mouth, you could also experience infections from unsanitary equipment or conditions. In addition to physical and emotional suffering, victims could experience financial hardships as well, by incurring lost wages due to missed work or high-cost medical bills to correct the

Common instances of dental malpractice including the following:

  • Injuries to sensitive nerves in the mouth or jaw, causing loss of sensation or taste
  • Complications from bridges or crowns
  • Failure to take accurate medical history, or take a history at all
  • Failure to detect oral cancer, gum disease, or other diseases in the mouth, teeth or gums
  • Complications or injury due to the use of anesthetic
  • Failure to extract the correct tooth or unnecessary extraction

Dentists or dental assistants who behave in a negligent manner should be held responsible for their reckless behavior on the job. Luckily, certain laws exist to protect patients from these actions and can help them get justice as a result. However, you should not try to pursue this case on your own. Experienced lawyers can make sure that your case is presented in the best and most accurate light in order for you to obtain the best result possible. In addition, while you are recovering from your injury and getting your life back on track, a lawyer can help with all of the paperwork and complicated processes involved in your lawsuit while you are nursed back to health.

Turn this negative experience into a more positive one by making sure that these individuals cannot carry out the same negligent actions on another innocent patient. Do not let one more routine dentist visit be dangerous for another individual.

Dental malpractice refers to professional negligence by a dentist, dental specialist, or dental healthcare provider, resulting in harm or injury to a patient. Some common types of dental malpractice include:

  1. Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis:
    • Failure to diagnose oral conditions such as cavities, gum disease, or oral cancer in a timely manner can lead to more severe complications.
  2. Improper Treatment:
    • Providing incorrect or inappropriate treatment for a dental condition can result in harm to the patient. This may include using the wrong materials, performing unnecessary procedures, or administering improper medications.
  3. Surgical Errors:
    • Mistakes during dental surgeries or procedures, such as extraction of teeth, dental implant placement, or jaw surgeries, can lead to complications, nerve damage, or infections.
  4. Anesthesia Errors:
    • Incorrect administration of anesthesia or failure to monitor a patient properly during a dental procedure that involves anesthesia can result in serious complications, including injury or death.
  5. Infection Control Failures:
    • Failing to follow proper infection control protocols can lead to the spread of infections in dental offices, putting patients at risk of diseases such as HIV or hepatitis.
  6. Communication Issues:
    • Poor communication with patients regarding treatment options, risks, and alternatives can be considered malpractice. It’s important for dentists to obtain informed consent before performing any significant procedure.
  7. Negligent Supervision of Staff:
    • Dentists are responsible for the actions of their staff. If a dental assistant or hygienist performs a task incorrectly, and the dentist fails to supervise or correct the error, it may be considered malpractice.
  8. Failure to Obtain Informed Consent:
    • Performing a dental procedure without obtaining proper informed consent from the patient, which includes explaining the risks, benefits, and alternatives, may constitute malpractice.
  9. Retention of Foreign Objects:
    • Leaving foreign objects (e.g., dental instruments or materials) inside a patient’s mouth during a procedure can lead to serious complications.
  10. Billing and Insurance Fraud:
    • Unethical billing practices or fraudulent claims to insurance companies can also be considered a form of dental malpractice.

It’s important to note that dental malpractice cases can be complex, and proving negligence requires demonstrating that the dentist deviated from the standard of care expected in the dental profession, and that this deviation resulted in harm to the patient. If you believe you have experienced dental malpractice, it is advisable to consult with a legal professional to discuss the specifics of your situation.

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