Claims for dental implants ‘have risen significantly’

Claims against dental professionals for dental implants rose by 41 percent between 2009 and 2013, compared to the preceding five years.

This is according to a new study from the Dental Defence Union (DDU), which showed that it received a total of 311 claims in relation to dental implants between 2004 and 2013, with 115 having been settled to date for an average of 34,000 pounds. 

One claim settling for more than 200,000 pounds, with the cumulative total of all payouts coming to around four million pounds.

The most common reason for claims was failure of treatment, with more than one-third citing this as the reason for the claim, while unsatisfactory treatment was the second most common reason at 17 percent.

Dr Leo Briggs, dento-legal adviser at the DDU, said: "It is important that dental professionals are aware of these risks and take steps to both minimise them and explain them to patients in advance so that they have realistic expectations."

The association said this underlines the importance of considering any treatment decision carefully in consultation with the patient, ensuring good communication and providing proper aftercare.