Woman gets £14k payout from dentist after 'three years of mouth pain'

Caitlin Mallon says she lost two teeth, suffered pain, infection and even bad breath.

She claimed her problems began in 2008 when dentist Dr Puneet Jain, working out of two surgeries at the time including Aldridge Dental Practice, told her there was a problem with her teeth.

But between then and 2011 the 66-year-old went on to have implants and bridges, which have since had to be replaced.

Mrs Mallon's case was successfully settled out of court to the tune of £14,000 after The Dental Law Partnership (TDLP) took up her case. Dr P Jain did not admit liability.

Dr P Jain, who no longer works at Aldridge Dental Practice, said: "I would like to make it clear that I do not agree with the facts as conveyed by TDLP, but I will not provide details of the patient's treatment because of my professional duty to protect their confidentiality.

"However, I am pleased that the matter has been brought to a satisfactory conclusion so that all the parties involved can now move on."

Mrs Mallon, from Newcastle Under-Lyme, said she suffered pain for three years.

After the original problem in 2008, Mrs Mallon said: "He said one of my teeth was mobile and needed to be monitored. I didn't think much of it at the time. I just thought Dr Jain would keep an eye on the tooth at my regular check-ups."

Two years later in 2010 the tooth was infected.

Dr P Jain prescribed antibiotics, but months later it was still infected, and Dr P Jain said an implant was needed to replace it.

"It seemed strange," Mrs Mallon added. "I was in a lot of pain but Dr Jain only prescribed antibiotics initially."

Also in 2010 a dental bridge which had previously been fitted became loose and was causing her severe pain.

However, she said Dr P Jain provided no immediate treatment. The bridge was eventually re-cemented later that year.

Mrs Mallon said: "I wanted the bridge to be replaced, but Dr Jain just told me it was fine. I was in pain and my mouth was so sensitive."

In 2011 the bridge became loose again. She said: "I couldn't believe it. I had always felt it wasn't fitted properly. My gums were inflamed and felt infected. I could smell that I had bad breath, it was highly embarrassing."

Mrs Mallon then went for a second opinion. According to TDLP the new dentist was 'shocked' at the treatment she had received.

The partnership added: "Dr Jain had fitted the implants and bridges so poorly they needed to be replaced immediately. They had been the cause of Mrs Mallon's unnecessary loss of teeth, pain, infection and bad breath."

Dr P Jain worked at Aldridge Dental Practice on a part-time basis between 2011-12.