Hyderabad consumer forum: Dentists to pay up for deficient service

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad consumer forum rapped Partha Dental Hospital for deficiency of service after a complainant alleged that he was made to undergo an implant surgery for his tooth when it was not required. The surgery failed, and he had to undergo another operation to have the implant removed.

The patient, Mr Srinivasa Appaji Chittineni from KPHB Colony, Hyderabad, said the procedure cost him Rs 20,000. The surgery was done on August 6, 2012.

Mr Chittineni told the forum that he had informed the dentists at the hospital that an implant specialist had specifically told him that his case was a complex one.

His concerns were ignored and the surgery was done by a dental technician who accidentally cut the lower teeth, exposing the pulp. The implant failed as the path of the complainant’s lower lateral teeth was slanted, causing Mr Chittineni immense pain.

He could not close his mouth or eat and suffered for eight months. Mr Chittineni said the implant had to be removed via another surgery.

The dentists contended that the treatment was explained to Mr Chittineni; he was told that it required multiple appointments but did not pay heed and wanted his tooth fixed quickly. They also denied that the pulp the most sensitive part of the tooth was exposed by the technician.

The forum noted that a committee consisting three experts of the AP State Dental Council had opined that there were lapses on the part of the dentists.

Council president Dr K. Mahendranth Reddy had treated Mr Chittineni for 20 days in March 2013. The findings of the expert committee showed that there was pulpal exposure and the implant placed was a single piece and had no restoration over it. It was also noted that there were no preoperative records and documents regarding investigations done. The filling of the tooth was found to be substandard.

The forum ruled in favour of the complainant and ordered a payment of Rs 3 lakh to him, refund of Rs 24,501 and costs of Rs 10,000.