Dental Malpractice

People in Maryland and throughout the United States go to the dentist on a regular basis without incident. The unfortunate reality, however, is that dentists do make mistakes that sometimes leave patients in serious, even long-term pain. If you or someone close to you has suffered harm due to a dentist’s error or carelessness, you need to reach out to a medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible. At Arfaa Law Group, Baltimore dental malpractice lawyer Julia Arfaa can thoroughly examine the facts of your case and provide you with an honest assessment of your claim.

Dental malpractice occurs when a dentist or another type of dental professional causes avoidable harm to a patient. One study found that out of 242 cases of dental malpractice, the most common types of alleged malpractice arose from extractions. In fact, there were 63 cases of negligent extractions in that group, of which 23 led to infections that required hospitalization. Eight of these cases were serious enough that they led to the patient’s death. According to the study, the second-most common type of negligence related to endodontic procedures, followed by dental implants, substandard crown or bridge treatment, and failures to diagnose or treat periodontal disease.

Dental injuries may happen in a variety of other ways as well, including:

• Negligently performing a procedure;
• Performing an unnecessary procedure;
• Failing to diagnose a dental condition properly;
• Failing to treat a dental condition properly;
• Failing to disclose risks;
• Making root canal errors;
• Making anesthesia errors;
• Causing nerve injuries to the jaw, lips, or tongue;
• Causing wisdom tooth extraction injuries; or
• Making errors that result in facial deformities.

It is important to note that a bad outcome from treatment does not automatically mean that dental malpractice took place. In some cases, unintended complications from medical procedures or treatment may arise, regardless of how prudent the dentist or dental assistant was. Due to the complicated nature of medical malpractice claims, it is important to hire an experienced dental malpractice attorney in the Baltimore area who knows how to move through these cases.

Medical malpractice claims are meant to hold health care professionals accountable for any negligent conduct. In order to prevail in a medical malpractice claim, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant medical professional caused their harm by failing to adhere to the accepted standard of care. In the context of dental malpractice, the expected standard of care is defined as how a reasonably prudent dental professional would have acted when treating a similar patient for a similar condition. Many different types of dental professionals may be liable for dental malpractice, such as general dentists, oral surgeons, orthodontists, or dental hygienists.

To establish a dental malpractice case, the plaintiff must prove that the dental professional owed the patient a duty to adhere to a certain standard of care, the dental professional breached that duty by failing to adhere to the appropriate standard of care, and the dental professional’s failure to adhere to the appropriate standard of care was a direct cause of the patient’s injury.

Time is of the essence in medical malpractice cases, and plaintiffs must act promptly. In general, the statute of limitations in Maryland for medical malpractice cases is five years from the date that the malpractice occurred or three years from the date that the possibility of malpractice was discovered, whichever is earlier. Failing to file your claim before the statute of limitations runs out may mean permanently losing your right to compensation.

If you or someone close to you was injured by a dentist who did not perform their duties properly, you may be entitled to compensation for your harm. At Arfaa Law Group, we can zealously advocate for your rights at every step of the way. With many years of experience, Baltimore dental malpractice attorney Julia Arfaa understands how to navigate these types of claims. She represents injured patients throughout the state of Maryland. To learn more about your possible next steps, call us at 410-889-1850 or contact us online for a free appointment with a medical malpractice lawyer.