DDU reveals top five reasons for dental claims

During 2017, just five aspects of dental care resulted in 80 per cent of claims notified by general dental practitioners to the DDU. Extractions accounted for around a quarter (24 per cent) of all claims, followed by root canal treatments with a fifth of cases (20 per cent) and caries and fillings with 17 per cent of claims. In fourth and fifth place respectively were claims for periodontal disease (10 per cent) and for implant treatment (9 per cent).

However, the DDU says that while dental professionals can expect to face three clinical negligence claims in a 30 year career, only a minority of cases succeed. During 2018, the DDU’s expert advice and guidance resulted in 69 per cent of dental claims being successfully defended without the payment of compensation.

John Makin, head of the DDU, said, “A lot has changed in the dental landscape in recent years such as the popularity of cosmetic treatments and technical advances in orthodontics and endodontics. Despite this, many of the allegations of clinical negligence made against DDU members relate to routine aspects of treatment such as extractions and fillings.