Harmed by Dental Treatment? You Could Be Owed Thousands.
Dental treatment should make things better, not worse. When a dentist performs an unnecessary extraction, damages a nerve during treatment, fails to diagnose oral cancer, or carries out substandard work that causes you pain and requires costly correction, that is dental negligence — and you have every right to claim compensation.
Scottish Claims Helpline handles dental negligence claims against both NHS and private dentists across Scotland on a no win no fee basis. There is no financial risk to you.
How Much Could You Receive?
| Type of Dental Negligence | Typical Award |
|---|
| Failed treatment requiring correction | £3,000 - £10,000 |
| Nerve damage — lasting numbness or pain | £10,000 - £30,000 |
| Unnecessary extractions | £5,000 - £20,000 |
| Severe permanent damage or missed oral cancer | £20,000 - £50,000+ |
Based on Judicial College Guidelines for pain and suffering only.
That’s not all. Dental negligence claimants also receive payments for corrective dental work (often at private rates), lost earnings during treatment and recovery, and ongoing treatment costs. Complex cases requiring multiple corrective procedures can add significantly to the total.
Who Can Claim?
Anyone harmed by substandard dental treatment in Scotland can claim — whether the treatment was provided by an NHS dentist or a private practitioner. Common claims include nerve damage during extractions or implant placement, unnecessary extractions, failed root canal or crown work, failure to diagnose oral cancer, poor implant placement, and orthodontic errors. Claims are made against the dentist’s professional indemnity insurer.
Dental Negligence Claims — Frequently Asked Questions
Failed treatment requiring correction: £3,000-£10,000. Nerve damage: £10,000-£30,000. Unnecessary extractions or severe permanent damage: £20,000-£50,000+. Additional payments for corrective treatment costs apply.
3 years from the date you knew the dental treatment caused you harm, under the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973.
Common claims include unnecessary extractions, nerve damage during treatment, failed root canal or crown work, failure to diagnose oral cancer, delayed referral, orthodontic errors, and poor implant placement.
Yes. NHS dentists are required to provide treatment to a competent standard. Claims are brought against the dentist’s professional indemnity insurer. You can also claim against private dentists.
Yes. Inferior alveolar nerve or lingual nerve damage during extractions or implant placement is a recognised complication. Where the dentist failed to warn you of the risk or the technique was substandard, you can claim for resulting numbness, pain or altered sensation.
Dental negligence claims typically take 12-24 months. They require expert dental evidence to assess whether the treatment fell below the accepted standard.
How Do I Start My Claim?
It takes 2 minutes. Fill in our short form and one of our specialist Scottish solicitors will call you back — all completely free and with no obligation. You pay nothing unless you win.
About this page: Written by the Scottish Claims Helpline editorial team. Reviewed by a qualified Scottish solicitor. Last reviewed February 2026. Scottish Claims Helpline is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (
FRN 830381).