Many people in New Jersey know about medical malpractice, but dental malpractice is something that’s spoken about less often. Certain types are common.

What is dental malpractice?

Dental malpractice is similar to medical malpractice but involves improper dental treatment. If you suffer harm from a dentist or other dental professional due to negligence or significantly subpar treatment, you have the right to file a claim for damages. Dental professionals are required to provide an expected standard of care. If a dentist or other dental professional fails to live up to that duty, you are entitled to fight back.

What are examples of dental malpractice?

There are different examples of dental malpractice that could leave a person with injuries. One of the most serious is if a dentist fails to diagnose oral cancer or gum disease. These conditions are treatable and sometimes reversible. A lack of diagnosis or one that comes too late can be devastating.

Improper tooth extraction occurs due to negligence. If a patient needs a specific tooth removed but the dentist removes the wrong one or damages nerves, it can have serious consequences. Nerve damage can lead to constant pain and the need for continuous treatment, which can be expensive and time-consuming.

Many dental procedures require a person to undergo anesthesia to numb the area being treated. If a complication arises due to a counteraction with the patient’s medical history, it can cause serious injuries and possibly even death. If a patient dies, their surviving family members could sue for dental malpractice and wrongful death.

Dental infections can seriously injure patients. If the infection is not properly or promptly treated, it can lead to serious injuries such as abscesses and even sepsis. Patients can suffer horrible pain and end up dying if the infections are not reversed in time.