Tuesday, June 28, 2011

do I have a dental malpractice case?

I went to the dentist to a general check up. Dentist told me that I have a couple of small cavities in my left wisdom teeth. Ultimately, she suggested that they fill the cavities. The initial shuts for the procedure felt truly painful and abnormal. But, dentist told me that it is normal when procedure is done for wisdom tooth. Additionally, during the procedure dentist and her assistant were consistently tried to open my mouse bigger and bigger. After the procedure was done doctor told me that I will feel pain and discomfort for the next several days. Ten days later, I still could only open my mouth about 1.5 fingers, left side of my face is still hurting, my left ear and left side of my neck is hurting as well. I feel that my teeth do not align the same way they did before the procedure. I have called the dentist and they invited me to stop by the office. In office dentist told me that complications resulted from procedure because my mouth was open too big. She told me that I have to see TMJ specialist. However, they could not refer me to anyone. Instead they gave me a sticky note with the phone number to some dental school that might be able to recommend me to someone. I asked who is going to pay for the medical treatments and they said that I need to contact my insurance company and discuss this matter with them. I opposed, stating that complications arised from the procedure. They said that it is not the case. I asked to invite the doctor, they refused. Additionally, I requested my dental records (copies), on which they refused as well. Meanwhile, I have contacted my general doctor and waiting for the referral to a specialist. I truly feel that this dental office should be responsible for their negligence. I am not sure what my exact diagnose but my symptoms are very disturbing.
--------------------
I cannot help with any of the other, but as far as your dental records are concerned this is the law for Texas as copied from the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners website. I do not know where you live though. A dentist shall furnish copies of dental records to a patient who requests his or her dental records. Requested copies including radiographs shall be furnished within thirty (30) days of the date of the request, provided however, that copies need not be released until payment of copying costs has been made. Records may not be withheld based on a past due account for dental care or treatment previously rendered to the patient. (1) A dentist providing copies of patient dental records is entitled to a reasonable fee for copying which shall be no more than $25 for the first 20 pages and $0.15 per page for every copy thereafter. (2) Fees for radiographs, which if copied by an radiograph duplicating service, may be equal to actual cost verified by invoice. (3) Reasonable costs for radiographs duplicated by means other than by a radiograph duplicating service shall not exceed the following charges: (A) a full mouth radiograph series: $15.00; (B) a panoramic radiograph: $15.00; (C) a lateral cephalometric radiograph: $15.00; (D) a single extra-oral radiograph: $5.00; (E) a single intra-oral radiograph: $5.00. (4) State agencies and institutions will provide copies of dental health records to patients who request them following applicable agency rules and directives.
Source

No comments:

Post a Comment