Claim Against Dentist Settled After Man's Death from Cancer

The wife of a man whose dentist failed to refer him to specialists after repeatedly noting a patch on the floor of his mouth has obtained compensation following his death from cancer.

The red and white patch was first spotted during an appointment in 2013. The man was seen at the dental practice on numerous occasions over the next four years but was never referred to specialists.

In October 2017 he went to his GP surgery, complaining of pain in his left ear and the left side of his neck and tongue. He was initially diagnosed with a fungal infection, but on his return to the surgery the following month he was referred to hospital. In January 2018, a scan and a biopsy showed that he had skin cancer on his tongue. He underwent surgery followed by chemotherapy, but it was later confirmed that the cancer had spread. He died in October 2018.

His wife sought legal advice, and expert medical evidence was obtained which indicated that there were grounds for a claim against the dentist. A claim was brought and some admissions were made; however, it was argued that the man's treatment would have been the same even if he had been referred to specialists in 2013.

After court proceedings were issued, lengthy negotiations took place and a settlement of £315,000 was agreed.