Implant claims rise

The figures from a study in the new digital journal of the Dental Defence Union (DDU), one of the UK’s leading indemnifiers of dental professionals, also reveal that of those claims settled to date, a staggering £4m has been paid out. 

A total of 311 claims were received by the DDU in relation to dental implants in the 10 year period between 2004 and 2013, with 115 having been settled to date for an average of £34,000, with one claim settling for over £200,000.

The most common reason for claims was ‘failure of treatment’ with over one third citing this as the reason for the claim, while ‘unsatisfactory treatment’ was the second most common reason with 17 per cent of claims alleging this. The figures are a stark reminder of the risks associated with non-essential dental work.

Leo Briggs, dento-legal adviser at the Dental Defence Union says:

“Dental implants may seem like the perfect way to re-build a patient’s smile, but, like any dental treatment there are risks involved and things may not always go to plan.”