Sheffield woman awarded £50,000 after dentist ‘failed to treat gum disease for 16 years'

A Sheffield woman has been awarded almost £50,000 in compensation after a dentist ‘failed to properly treat her gum disease for 16 years.’
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Julie Parkin, a 60-year-old teaching assistant, reached an out-of-court settlement of £49,250 with Ffolliott Bird & Associates, who run MyDentist in Walkley and Shiregreen as well as another branch in Rotherham, following a legal claim.

The Dental Law Partnership, representing Ms Parkin, said her dentists’ “consistent failure to treat gum disease over a 16-year period led to her experiencing excruciating pain and infections, being embarrassed about her appearance, and having difficulty eating.”

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They added: “She has also lost two teeth and will lose seven more in future because of the poor treatment.”

Julie Parkin, who was awarded £49,250 in compensation.Julie Parkin, who was awarded £49,250 in compensation.
Julie Parkin, who was awarded £49,250 in compensation.

The signs of Ms Parkin’s gum disease were “clearly visible in X-rays taken as far back as 2001” when she first visited the dentist, a Dental Law Partnership spokesperson said.

“It’s unbelievable,” Ms Parkin added. “I never needed to go through any of this. It’s all because the dentists at Ffolliott Bird Associates weren’t doing their jobs properly. It’s been so traumatic and psychologically draining.

"I have trouble eating and I get embarrassed about my appearance. This is putting aside how many teeth I am going to lose, and how much more time I am going to have to spend in the dentist’s chair trying to get this sorted out.”

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The extent of her dental problems were not uncovered until 2016 when she was told she had “severe gum disease.”

Ms Parkin said: “I even ended up being referred to hospital in 2017 because the gum disease was so bad. I now also know I am going to lose seven more of my teeth in the future because of the damage caused.”

Ms Parkin was given antibiotics on three earlier occasions after complaining of toothache.

“I always had regular check-ups and the dentists at the practice always seemed to know what they were doing,” Ms Parkin said.

“I never thought they were the ones causing my problems.”

The dental practice did not admit liability despite paying compensation.

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