Negligence in tooth extraction led to infection, implants: Consumer Court slaps compensation on dentist
compensation
Coimbatore: The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (DCDRC) recently directed a private dentist to pay Rs 1 lakh compensation to a woman who suffered severe pain, infection, and further complications due to medical negligence during a tooth extraction procedure.
After the tooth extraction, the patient felt unbearable pain, and when she approached another private hospital, she found out that due to improper tooth extraction, pus formed around her tooth socket.
Based on the complaint filed by the woman, the District Consumer Court President R Thangavel and member P Marimuthu directed the dentist to pay Rs 1 lakh compensation to the patient for physical and mental suffering and another Rs 5,000 towards legal expenses.
The history of the case goes back to February, earlier this year, when the patient, who hails from Pappanaickenpalayam, visited a private dental care centre at New Siddhapudur, seeking treatment for her tooth pain.
A scan was conducted, and consequently, the patient's tooth was removed. After the procedure, the patient suffered unbearable pain for three days and rushed back to the clinic. However, since the clinic was closed, she sought treatment at another hospital, the Times of India has reported.
Sources informed the Daily that the treating doctors at the new clinic informed the patient that the tooth extraction was not done properly, leading to pus formation around the tooth socket. They also found that the blood vessel connected to the tooth was not sealed correctly, resulting in fluid discharge.
The source further added that the patient lost a tooth due to the dentist's negligence and had to get two more removed. Later, she also had to undergo implantation. For all this, she had to spend more than Rs 1.5 lakh on scans, medicines, consultations, and implant procedures.
Approaching the District Consumer Court, the patient filed a petition and based on that, the Commission directed the dentist to pay Rs 1 lakh compensation to the patient, along with Rs 5,000 towards legal expenses.
