Dental Law Partnership

Dental Law Partnership: specialist dental negligence solicitors in England and Wales

Dental Law Partnership is a British law firm dedicated exclusively to dental negligence claims. It presents itself as the only firm of its kind founded by dentally qualified solicitors, which allows it to approach cases with both clinical and legal knowledge. Its scope of practice is limited to England and Wales, where it represents patients who have received dental treatment below the required standard.

The firm states that it has over 24 years of experience in this specialism and describes itself as the largest specialist dental negligence firm in the UK. According to its own presentation, it was the first firm in the country dedicated exclusively to dental negligence claims and has been recognised as a 'market leader in dental claims' by The Legal 500.

Types of negligence and injuries they investigate

The firm analyses claims arising from errors in dental practice, including surgical errors, misdiagnosis, failure to obtain informed consent and treatment not carried out or inadequate. It also handles cases of malpractice in cosmetic dentistry.

Among the injuries and situations they deal with are:

• Dental nerve damage, including that caused after surgery, wisdom tooth removal, dental injections, implants, root canals and extractions.
• Cosmetic dentistry claims: veneers, composite bonding, failed implants, dentures, gum contouring, braces and 'smile makeovers'.
• Consequences of untreated tooth decay, tooth extractions, fillings, periodontal disease, oral cancer and restorative dentistry (crowns, bridges, failed root canals).
• Jaw pain, headaches, infections (including lip infections and those arising from root canals) and jaw fractures due to negligence.
• Compensation for wrong tooth extraction.

Clinical and legal experience

The firm emphasises that its cases are handled by experienced solicitors and dentists, which allows it to quickly assess whether the circumstances of dental treatment amount to negligence. It has an in-house team of dentists who provide the clinical perspective needed to analyse records and determine whether care fell below a reasonable standard.

According to its account, the firm helped change UK law by establishing that dental practices can be held legally accountable for negligent treatment, under the principles of vicarious liability and non-delegable duty of care. This change, according to the company, guaranteed patients a clear route to claim justice and compensation.

Claims process and funding

The firm handles most cases under a 'no win, no fee' agreement, also called a conditional fee agreement. This means that, if the claim does not succeed, the client does not pay for the work carried out by the solicitor and does not have to pay anything upfront. If successful, a small share of any compensation awarded goes towards the solicitor's fees. The firm warns of the importance of being completely honest with the solicitor during the process, as a fraudulent or dishonest claim could lead the client to have to pay the defendant's legal expenses.

The process begins with an online questionnaire or a free telephone call. The firm also offers a compensation calculator and a case assessment in less than two minutes, with no obligation.

Time limits and proving negligence

The general time limit for bringing a dental negligence claim is three years from when the negligence occurred or from when the patient became aware of it. There are exceptions for those under 18, whose time limit starts from their eighteenth birthday, and for people with mental illness, whose time limit starts after their recovery. The firm recommends seeking specialist legal representation as soon as possible, given that gathering evidence can take considerable time.

To prove negligence, according to the firm, it is necessary to show that the standard of care expected from a competent dentist was not received and that this negligence directly caused an injury or a worse outcome for the patient.

Representative cases

The firm publishes settled cases that illustrate its work. In one, a patient from south-east England received £9,000 in compensation after an out-of-court settlement in 2020; analysis of their records revealed that the dentist failed to diagnose or treat tooth decay between 2015 and 2016, which led to the future loss of a tooth. The dentist did not admit liability.

In another case, a patient from London received £10,000 in 2024 after a tooth extraction caused a jaw fracture; according to the analysis, a different approach would have avoided the fracture and the subsequent extraction under general anaesthetic. The dentist also did not admit liability.

Frequently asked questions about financing dental treatment

The site also addresses questions about how to finance dental treatment. It notes that cosmetic dentistry is usually carried out privately, unless there is a clinical need, in which case it may be covered by the NHS, a point that should be discussed with the dentist. Some private clinics allow instalment payment plans, and the firm recommends understanding the full cost of treatment and aftercare before committing.