General Dentistry Experts Opine on Failure to Diagnose Gum Disease

This case involves a failure to diagnose periodontal disease over an extended period of time. The defendant is a retired dentist who had previously provided dental care to the plaintiff for over 2 decades in New Hampshire. The patient stopped treatment with the defendant when defendant retired, and was then seen by a new dentist that the defendant recommended. The new dentist was surprised by the poor condition of the patient’s teeth and indicated evidence of periodontal decay dating back nearly 15 years. As a result, the plaintiff had to have a number of invasive treatments, including a root canal and the removal of several teeth.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

Expert Witness Response E-000552

I have 44 years of experience as a general dentist and treat patients with periodontal disease every day. I have maintained my expertise in the field over the years with extensive periodontal training; the failure to maintain one’s skillset may have been the cause of the defendant’s errors. That said, it is always the dentist’s responsibility to diagnose and recommend treatment when maladies become apparent. I lecture on general dentistry in an educational setting and periodontal issues do arise; that said, I do not expect to have taught anything that would justify the defendant’s inaction.

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