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Case ref:201508436
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Date:November 2016
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Body:Highland NHS Board
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Sector:Health
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Outcome:Not upheld, no recommendations
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Subject:clinical treatment / diagnosis
Summary
Mrs C complained that a dental hygienist carried out a scale and polish procedure inappropriately and that this caused extensive damage to her teeth. We took independent dental advice. We found that there was no evidence to suggest the hygienist failed to carry out the procedure appropriately, or that this had caused damage to Mrs C's teeth. We did not uphold this complaint.
Mrs C also complained that the subsequent treatment and advice she received from a dentist was unreasonable. We were advised that the records indicated that appropriate treatment was provided and correct advice offered. We did not uphold this complaint.
In addition, Mrs C complained about the board's response to her complaint. She felt that they unreasonably disregarded the evidence of the further treatment that she received, which she considered supported her concerns that the scale and polish procedure damaged her teeth. She was also unhappy with the dentist's indication that they offered fluoride treatment for sensitivity when she said it was offered to address the damage to her teeth. We were advised that the further treatment Mrs C required was due to her teeth being worn and not as a result of any unreasonable prior treatment. We were also advised that fluoride treatment is usually offered to treat sensitivity or decay, and not damage to teeth such as that described by Mrs C. We therefore concluded that the board's response was reasonable and we did not uphold this complaint.