A dentist’s solution to any case is to hire an experienced dental attorney that is skillful enough to defend and prevent losing your dental license. But it doesn’t mean that having a dental attorney is the only reason to get rid of a case. A dentist on the other hand must do their responsibilities in ensuring and assuring that patients get the proper care they need, by doing so, there will be minimal to no complaints in the future.
On or about August 25, 2018, a new patient sought dental treatment from a dentist in Frisco, Texas for a broken filling/tooth on tooth #3. The patient received a temporary crown and crown lengthening. Impressions for a permanent crown were also taken. However, the dentist did not conduct a full exam or pocket charting, did not have diagnostic quality radiographs, and did not diagnose the patient prior to starting treatment. The dentist also did not schedule any follow-up care for the patient’s crown lengthening and did not provide any post-operative antibiotics or pain medication and did not have the patient sign a consent form prior to crown lengthening.
On or about August 25, 2018, when the patient sought treatment from the dentist, the patient was feeling discomfort but did not have a dental emergency.
On or about September 22, 2018, the patient returned to the dentist after losing her temporary crown. The dentist placed a permanent crown. The dentist failed to wait six to eight weeks after the patient’s crown lengthening for the tissue to mature before placing the permanent crown. As a result, there were 6mm probing following the placement of the new crown and crown lengthening.
On or about November 3, 2018, the patient returned to the dentist for a periodontal exam. The dentist’s hygienist conducted full-mouth probing, scaling, and root planning. The dentist did not conduct a full exam, did not have diagnostic quality radiographs, and did not diagnose the patient prior to treatment.
The dentist presented the cost of these treatments to the patient in a confusing manner. The patient had dental insurance but was not clearly informed about which procedures were covered and which ones were not covered. The breakdown of fees for each recommended and optional procedure was not clear and the patient was charged for a crown lengthening which was defective and caused recurrent issues such as 6mm pockets after the procedure.
As to the above incidents, the dentist is subject to disciplinary action by the Dental Board, on the grounds of unprofessional conduct in that the dentist committed repeated acts of gross negligence in his care and treatment of the patient. The dentist failed to conduct a complete and thorough examination, including pocket depth and charting and a complete, full series of radiographs prior to performing non-emergency treatment on the patient. The dentist performed an inadequate and improper crown lengthening without proper follow-up, healing time, and tissue maturation time. Thereby leading to continued periodontal issues for tooth #3. The dentist abdicated the responsibility of probings and diagnosis to the dental hygienist and allowed the scaling and root planing without probings or a diagnosis prior to treatment. And also the dentist charged the patient for an improperly performed crown lengthening and did not provide the patient with a clear understanding of the charges involved.
The decision of the Board could have resulted differently if the dentist hires help from an expert, a dental attorney. Failure to have a dental attorney for defense will further face more consequences.
If you are looking for help from an expert at dealing dental cases, contact the Law Office of Dental Attorney Yong J. An for a confidential consultation by calling or texting 24/7 at (832) 428-5679. You will never be mistaken if you will ask for his help. He is very well experience on dental cases as he has many years of experience in dealing with numerous cases.