When you sit in a dentist’s chair, you put your trust in their hands. You expect safe, professional care, a proper diagnosis and clear advice about your treatment. But when that trust is broken when something goes wrong, and no one explains why you’re left in pain, confused and unsure where to turn.
When you sit in a dentist’s chair, you put your trust in their hands. You expect safe, professional care, a proper diagnosis and clear advice about your treatment. But when that trust is broken when something goes wrong, and no one explains why you’re left in pain, confused and unsure where to turn.
Here in Clare, we’ve met clients from Shannon, Ennis, Sixmilebridge and beyond who were left with lasting damage after routine procedures. Some were left with nerve injuries. Others suffered infections that were missed or poorly managed. In many cases, people were made to feel as though their concerns didn’t matter.
At Crimmins Howard, we know how hard it is to speak up after a medical professional has let you down. We also know that dental negligence is more common than people realise and its impact is very real. From daily pain and difficulty eating to costly corrective work and emotional stress, these are injuries that deserve to be taken seriously.
You have a right to be heard. You have a right to ask what went wrong. And you have a right to fair treatment.
With over 30 years of experience standing up for individuals and families in this community, we are here to listen without judgement and to act with care. We will explain your options in plain English and help you take the next step with clarity and confidence.
If you believe your dental treatment caused you harm, contact Crimmins Howard today. We are ready to help you seek answers and move forward with the support you deserve.
Dental negligence occurs when a dental professional fails to provide care that meets the standard expected of them, resulting in harm to the patient. This is not about being unhappy with how something looks or feels it’s about whether your dentist made an avoidable mistake that caused injury, pain, or long-term damage.
Dentists in Ireland, whether working in private clinics or under the HSE, are legally expected to follow professional standards. If they don’t and if you’re left with harm that could have been avoided you may have grounds to bring a claim.
Negligence can arise during almost any stage of treatment. It could be a botched root canal, the failure to detect oral cancer, poor hygiene that leads to infection, or even nerve damage caused by carelessness. It might also involve cosmetic treatments like veneers or orthodontics that are poorly planned or executed.
A dental negligence claim helps to hold the responsible party to account and may entitle you to compensation for your pain, expenses, and any corrective treatment needed.
In Ireland, a dental negligence claim can be brought by anyone who has suffered avoidable harm due to negligent dental care. Adults can bring a claim on their own behalf if they have the capacity to do so and are within the legal time limit.
Parents or legal guardians can bring a claim on behalf of a child. In these cases, the two-year time limit is paused until the child turns 18. The child may also bring their own claim once they reach adulthood, provided the time limit has not expired.
If a person lacks mental capacity, a family member or legal representative may apply to act on their behalf.
In cases involving a fatal outcome, a claim may be made by the next of kin or a dependent under the Civil Liability Act.
Irish residents who received negligent dental treatment abroad may also have grounds to bring a claim, though these cases are more complex and depend on where the harm occurred.
At Crimmins Howard, we support clients across Clare and beyond who have suffered due to poor dental treatment. Below are the most common types of dental negligence claims we investigate and pursue:
When a root canal is not performed to a proper standard, infections can persist or worsen. Incomplete cleaning, failure to seal the canal, or perforation of the tooth can lead to ongoing pain, abscesses, or even tooth loss. You may require retreatment, surgical intervention or extraction. If your root canal left you in a worse condition than before, we can help assess whether negligence was involved.
Incorrectly placed or poorly finished cavity fillings can lead to increased sensitivity, ongoing pain, or further tooth decay. Overfilled, underfilled or misaligned fillings may also cause bite problems or damage to nearby teeth. These cases often require replacement fillings, additional treatment or correction. If your filling has caused you unnecessary pain or cost, it may be a result of negligent work.
The extraction of a healthy or incorrect tooth is a serious error that can cause both physical and psychological harm. It may result in the need for implants, bridges or orthodontic correction. Miscommunication, poor charting or rushed procedures are common causes. If you’ve lost a healthy tooth unnecessarily, you may be entitled to bring a claim for dental negligence.
Early diagnosis is crucial in treating oral cancer. If a dentist fails to recognise signs such as ulcers, lesions, or abnormal tissue changes and does not refer you for further testing the opportunity for early treatment may be lost. This can lead to a worsened prognosis. We handle claims where serious consequences resulted from missed or delayed diagnoses.
Dental clinics must maintain strict hygiene standards. If instruments are not properly sterilised or disposable items are reused, patients may contract infections such as hepatitis or bacterial diseases. Symptoms may appear days or weeks later, sometimes requiring hospitalisation. If your infection was linked to poor hygiene, we can investigate the dental practice’s protocols.
Dental appliances such as crowns, bridges, implants or dentures must be accurately fitted to function properly. Ill-fitting devices can cause ongoing pain, sores, speech issues or the need for repeat procedures. In some cases, a device may fall out or fail altogether. If your dental appliance was poorly placed and caused you harm, we may be able to assist.
Orthodontic procedures require careful planning and regular monitoring. Errors in alignment, failure to adjust braces, or improper planning of tooth movement can cause long-term damage. We have handled cases involving misalignment, jaw strain and damage to surrounding teeth caused by negligent orthodontic care. Such cases often require years of corrective treatment.
Dental procedures involving extractions, implants or surgery near the lower jaw can cause nerve injury if not performed carefully. Lingual and inferior alveolar nerve damage may result in numbness, tingling, pain or even permanent loss of sensation. These injuries can affect speaking, eating and quality of life. If nerve damage has occurred, we can advise you on the next steps.
Not every poor outcome means negligence occurred. Dental negligence only arises when your dentist or dental professional fails to meet the standard of care expected in Ireland, and that failure directly causes you harm. Understanding the difference between an honest complication and a preventable error is key and that’s where legal and expert input becomes essential.
To bring a successful claim, two things must be proven: first, that the treatment you received fell below the accepted standard; and second, that this directly caused your injury, pain, or financial loss. This might involve a review of your dental records, X-rays, and details of your follow-up treatment.
Common indicators include prolonged pain after routine procedures, unexpected tooth loss, nerve damage, infection due to poor hygiene, or the need for corrective work after cosmetic treatment.
At Crimmins Howard, we work with independent dental experts to assess whether your care was negligent. We’ll examine your records, gather the necessary evidence and explain clearly if we believe your case meets the legal threshold. If we don’t think a claim is likely to succeed, we’ll tell you that too with honesty and respect.
If you’ve suffered due to negligent dental care, you may be entitled to claim compensation for the losses and hardship caused. Dental negligence claims in Ireland are assessed based on the specific impact the error has had on your health, finances and daily life.
You can claim for pain and suffering, both physical and psychological. This includes ongoing discomfort, nerve damage, infections, or visible damage that has affected your appearance and confidence.
Corrective treatment costs are also recoverable. This may include follow-up procedures, cosmetic corrections, or long-term care such as implants or orthodontics required to undo the original harm. If the treatment must be done privately, that cost can also form part of the claim.
Where negligence has forced you to take time off work, you may be entitled to claim for loss of earnings. Travel costs, medication, and specialist consultations are also considered if they relate to the injury caused.
In cases involving permanent injury or ongoing care needs, future losses including treatment and income may also be included. Every claim is different, and our role is to ensure that your full experience is accurately represented and fairly compensated under Irish law.
In Ireland, the general time limit for bringing a dental negligence claim is two years from the date you first knew or ought to have known that you were injured due to negligent treatment. This is known as the “date of knowledge” and can sometimes occur well after the actual procedure.
For example, if you underwent a root canal and only discovered a year later that it was improperly performed, the two-year period would likely begin from that point of discovery, not the original treatment date.
Where a child is involved, the law is different. A parent or guardian can bring a claim at any time before the child turns 18. If no claim is made during childhood, the child then has two years from their 18th birthday to pursue it on their own behalf.
If the injured person lacks mental capacity, time limits may not apply in the usual way. These situations can be complex and require early legal guidance.
Missing the time limit can result in your claim being dismissed entirely, so it’s always best to seek advice as early as possible. At Crimmins Howard, we can assess your timeline and confirm whether your case falls within the legal period for action.
If you’ve been harmed by a dentist, the last thing you need is another professional telling you to “wait and see.” You’ve already waited. You’ve already been let down. You don’t need a legal helpline you need a solicitor who will actually take the time to understand what happened and tell you what can be done about it.
At Crimmins Howard, we don’t run on volume. We don’t take on hundreds of claims at once or pass your case down through layers of junior staff. If we take you on, it means we see something worth fighting for and we will handle it with the focus, care and urgency it deserves.
We are a medical negligence firm rooted in Clare, with over 30 years of experience dealing with dental injury claims, surgical mistakes and diagnostic failures. We know the local clinics. We know the referral systems. We know where mistakes happen, and how they’re often buried.
We also know that most clients don’t come to us with everything neatly documented. They come to us confused, uncertain and often doubting themselves. That’s fine. We’ll listen, we’ll read between the lines, and we’ll help you build a clear picture step by step of whether a case can be made.
We’re not here to promise a big win. We’re here to make sure you’re not ignored again.
If you’ve suffered harm during a dental procedure, contact Crimmins Howard today. We’ll give you a straight answer, and we’ll give it to you fast.
Yes. Dental negligence cases require detailed understanding of both dental procedures and Irish negligence law. At Crimmins Howard, we bring over 30 years of experience to every claim and work with respected medical experts to make sure your case is built on solid ground.
Not in every case. Many dental negligence claims are resolved through negotiation. But if court becomes necessary, we’ll handle all preparation and representation. You’ll never be left guessing what’s happening we’ll guide you through the process from start to finish.
Most claims take between 18 and 36 months, though some resolve sooner. It depends on the complexity of the case, the availability of expert reports and how the other side responds. We work efficiently and keep your case moving without delay.
We regularly take on claims that were turned away elsewhere. Many are dismissed without a proper review. If you believe something went wrong, and you still have concerns, we will re-evaluate the matter thoroughly and honestly.
Yes. As a parent or legal guardian, you can bring a claim on your child’s behalf. If you choose not to do so, your child will have two years from their 18th birthday to bring the claim themselves. Early legal advice is always recommended.
Compensation depends on the severity of your injury, the cost of corrective treatment, time off work and the long-term impact on your life. We use the Personal Injuries Guidelines to assess value, and we’ll explain all potential entitlements clearly from the outset..
No. With your consent, we will obtain your dental and medical records directly. These form the foundation of the case and are reviewed by independent experts to determine if negligence occurred.
You can still bring a claim. The standard of care expected is the same, whether the treatment was public or private. We handle claims against HSE clinics as well as private practices.
Simply contact our office. We’ll listen to your concerns, ask some initial questions and explain what happens next. There’s no pressure to proceed, and everything is completely confidential.
If you’ve suffered harm due to dental negligence, you don’t have to face it alone. Crimmins Howard will help you understand your rights and guide you through the process clearly and confidently. Contact us today to arrange a confidential consultation with an experienced solicitor. We’re here to help you move forward with certainty.
