Dentist drilled cavity and forgot to fill it

anon999 · #1 09-23-2008, 08:41 PM

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Alabama, I went to the dentist today and it went wrong from the start. I had to get several cavities filled after receiving four shots in my mouth their equipment messes up. The thing that sucks all the junk outta your mouth was not working, they called a repair man and sent me home. Several hours later after my jaw is no longer numb they call me saying it's fixed and come on back they can do it now. So 4 more shots plus 3 more then that to left side because it would not numb up after already recieving shots earliear that morning. They fixed all cavities but the ones on the left side, and the one on my front tooth, half of my tooth is missing in the back and now that the novacaine is wearing off i'm noticing the pain. It's an emergency dentist with a number to call in case of emergencys that they are not answering nor calling me back on. I'm highly upset, is it mal practice to drill a cavity and not fill it?

lya · #2 09-23-2008, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anon999

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Alabama, I went to the dentist today and it went wrong from the start. I had to get several cavities filled after receiving four shots in my mouth their equipment messes up. The thing that sucks all the junk outta your mouth was not working, they called a repair man and sent me home. Several hours later after my jaw is no longer numb they call me saying it's fixed and come on back they can do it now. So 4 more shots plus 3 more then that to left side because it would not numb up after already recieving shots earliear that morning. They fixed all cavities but the ones on the left side, and the one on my front tooth, half of my tooth is missing in the back and now that the novacaine is wearing off i'm noticing the pain. It's an emergency dentist with a number to call in case of emergencys that they are not answering nor calling me back on. I'm highly upset, is it mal practice to drill a cavity and not fill it?

Are you for real? The dentist office only had one suction in one room but didn't put you in another room and complete the procedure, with or without suction (assuming you could spit)? What did the dentist tell you to do about the cavities on the left side, the front tooth, and the molar (in the back) that are not fixed?

The emergency/on-call dentist is required to return your call. Not doing so is negligence.

I can't begin to answer about the remaining fillings until you answer the above questions.

I can suggest a quick trip to WalMart, CVS, Walgreen's, or such for some dental wax. Placing the dental wax into the cavities will stop air from touching exposed nerves and prevent the associated pain.

(After this is resolved, I'd change dentists, if it were me.)

anon999 · #3 09-23-2008, 09:12 PM

the cavities on the left are going to be filled at a later date after 4 shots in one spot i didn't want any more, the one on the front tooth was supposed to be filled he just forgot, and i think they only had one pump working the suction for all suction hoses, they said i couldn't spit because it was a safety risk if a piece of filling were to go down my throat, as far as a call back, i've called them 4 more times since i posted original message and no returned call always straight to voice mail, numbness completely gone now and much pain is being had

anon999 · #4 09-23-2008, 09:12 PM

oh and a change of dentist is definite, they won't even be filling the two on the left side that we rescheduled for

lya · #5 09-23-2008, 11:05 PM

I don't think you'd make it court on this claim because of no monetary award's being sufficient; but, I surely think you have reason to call a medmal attorney. Consultations are usually free and some medmal attorneys are willing to send a letter of demand seeking compensation.

Your treatment is so inexcusable and such an outrage to common decency that I believe you may find an attorney who is willing to help you gain some satisfaction. Anyone who's ever had a broken tooth or a filling to come out knows the pain that just opening the mouth can cause.

At the very least, the dentist should have provided you with dental wax and medication for the relief of pain.

After you consult with an attorney and with the permission of an attorney who may be willing to represent you, file a complaint with the Dental Licensing Board of your state. Not answering Emergency phone calls or returning emergency phone calls is a big 'no-no'.

I am simply appalled by your story.