Navi Mumbai woman wins Rs 6.3 lakh over ‘negligent’ 9 dental root canals in 6 months

A woman from Navi Mumbai has been awarded Rs 6.32 lakh by the Maharashtra State Consumer Commission for medical negligence and poor service during nine dental root canals in six months. The compensation includes Rs 4.32 lakh for corrective treatment, Rs 2 lakh for mental distress and legal fees, and 12 per cent annual interest from October 20, 2022.

The case involved excessive reduction of the woman's natural tooth height during crown preparation, leading to crowns falling off and breaking. The woman's clinic and the consulting dentist denied the allegations, claiming the treatment followed standard protocols and accepted diagnosis. However, the commission found that the medical professionals failed to provide adequate documentation, conduct required diagnostic imaging, and that the excessive reduction of the woman's natural tooth height compromised the mechanical retention and structural integrity of the crowns.

The commission dismissed the clinic's appeal and ordered them to comply with the district commission's directives within 45 days.