2 weeks ago
Woman wins Rs 6.3 lakh over negligent dental root canals
An adult went to a dental clinic in Navi Mumbai to make her smile nicer.
The dentist removed too much from her teeth, and the caps placed on them broke and fell off.
She needed nine root canals, which are big treatments inside the teeth, in just six months.
She said the clinic promised the caps would last 15 years, but one fell within a year.
When she asked for a replacement under the warranty, the clinic said no.
A special consumer court in Maharashtra looked at the case and agreed the clinic made mistakes.
The court ruled the clinic and dentist must pay her about Rs 6.3 lakh.
Part of the money is for fixing her teeth, and part is for her suffering and court costs.
The court also said the clinic should have shown proof before doing such big treatments.
It told the clinic to obey the order within 45 days.
The Maharashtra State Consumer Commission upheld a Rs 6.32 lakh payout to a Navi Mumbai woman for medical negligence and deficiency in service in dental treatment.
The woman underwent nine root canals within six months after crowns allegedly fell and broke due to excessive reduction of her natural dental height.
The commission found the provider failed to produce verified documentation, such as radiographs, to justify root canal treatments across nine teeth.
The amount includes Rs 4.32 lakh for corrective treatment and Rs 2 lakh for mental agony and litigation costs, with 12 per cent annual interest from October 20, 2022.
Refusing to honour the 15-year warranty on a Rs 1.75 lakh zirconia crown and issuing warranty cards bearing other patients' names were deemed unfair trade practice.
- Who
- A Navi Mumbai woman; the dental clinic Sabka Dentist and its consulting dentist; the Maharashtra State Consumer Commission led by President Justice S P Tavade and member Dr Nisha Amol Chavhan
- What
- The consumer commission upheld a Rs 6.32 lakh compensation, finding medical negligence and deficiency in service in the diagnosis, preparation and execution of dental procedures
- Where
- Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra; the original order came from the Additional District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Thane
- When
- Treatment occurred between July 21, 2018 and January 30, 2019; the earlier order was passed on October 20, 2022 and the appeal was dismissed on August 7, 2026
- Why
- Excessive and unnatural reduction of natural tooth height and root canal treatments performed without demonstrated diagnostic necessity were found to be negligent
Consumer commission's finding
Dentist and clinic's defence
Standard of treatment
Consumer commission's finding
Excessive and unnatural tooth reduction and root canals performed without demonstrated diagnostic necessity amounted to negligence and deficiency in service.
Dentist and clinic's defence
The treatment followed the diagnosis and treatment plan accepted by the patient and standard clinical protocols; crown height is a subjective matter depending on clinical evaluation.
Cause of crown failure
Consumer commission's finding
Excessive reduction compromised mechanical retention and structural integrity, leading to frequent dislodgement and fracturing of the crowns.
Dentist and clinic's defence
Only one of 17 crowns dislodged and the underlying tooth was found fractured; the patient did not return for a follow-up after the last crown fixation.
Warranty and documentation
Consumer commission's finding
Refusing replacement under the subsisting 15-year warranty and issuing warranty cards with other patients' names was an unfair trade practice; no radiographs were produced to justify the treatment.
Dentist and clinic's defence
The warranty applied to the dental cap, not the underlying tooth structure; consent forms were signed before each procedure and X-rays were taken at every stage of the root canal treatment.
Key facts
- Total compensation
- Rs 6.32 lakh
- Corrective treatment
- Rs 4.32 lakh
- Mental agony and litigation costs
- Rs 2 lakh
- Interest
- 12 per cent annually from October 20, 2022
- Root canals performed
- 9 in six months
- Zirconia crown
- Around Rs 1.75 lakh with a 15-year warranty
- Treatment period
- July 21, 2018 to January 30, 2019
- Compliance deadline
- Within 45 days from August 7, 2026
Quotes
President Justice S P Tavade, Maharashtra State Consumer Commission
Chief judge of the Maharashtra State Consumer Commission
“This Commission holds that the Appellant (Sabka Dentist) and Respondent No. 2 (consulting dentist) committed clear medical negligence and deficiency in service in the diagnosis, preparation, and execution of the dental procedures rendered to the patient.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
Related news
Doctor Ordered to Pay Rs 2 Lakh for Surgical Negligence
Manipal Cigna ordered to pay denied brain tumour surgery claim
NCDRC orders Ludhiana hospital, doctors to pay Rs 15 lakh
Mumbai Consumer Commission Pulls Up New India Assurance, Orders Payment
Insurer to pay widow Rs 50 lakh after rejecting claim
Advocate Wins Rs 55,500 Payout in Defective Phone Warranty Case
Maharashtra Commission Orders IVF Doctor to Pay Surrogacy Compensation
Mumbai Commission Revives Nine-Year-Old Complaint Over ₹30 Chakali Receipt
Study-abroad firm ordered to refund Rs 11 lakh to student
Citi Bank Ordered To Refund ₹12.91 Lakh Home Loan Interest
