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Case ref:201603804
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Date:February 2017
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Body:A Dentist in the Ayrshire and Arran NHS Board area
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Sector:Health
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Outcome:Not upheld, no recommendations
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Subject:clinical treatment / diagnosis
When it was originally published on 15 February 2017, this case referred to a dentist in the Ayrshire and Arran NHS Board area. This was incorrect, and should have read a dentist in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board area. This was due to an administrative error which we have now corrected, and we apologise for any inconvenience that this has caused.
Summary
Ms C complained about the dental care and treatment she received during a course of treatment for a root canal. She complained that at one appointment, the local anaesthetic injection had resulted in her lower lip becoming tingly for several months, and that it then went completely numb. She also complained that she had not been told of the potential risks of local anaesthetic injections.
During our investigation, we took independent advice from a dental practitioner. We found that whilst altered sensation is a rare complication of a local anaesthetic injection, it does not suggest any failing on the part of the dentist. We also found that there is no requirement for dental practitioners to discuss potential risks of local anaesthetic injections with patients. Therefore, we did not uphold Ms C's complaints.