Dental negligence transformed a smile makeover into a years-long battle in Bengaluru, one that culminated in a court awarding ₹2 lakh in compensation for pain, enamel damage, and medical misconduct.
A Promise to Fix Teeth And a Procedure That Broke Trust
In 2016, a patient visited a reputable dental clinic in Bengaluru, looking for a simple cosmetic adjustment, such as ceramic braces, to align the front teeth. The orthodontist had claimed that the treatment would be completed within a year. However, the promise, like the procedure, did not hold. The treatment lasted over two and a half years. After multiple visits and confusing communication, the braces were finally removed for ₹50,000. The patient’s trust, however, was also with them. What should have been a confident smile devolved into constant agony. Ten teeth were damaged, the Enamel was scraped, and the gums were harmed. Even soft foods caused discomfort.
Inside the Clinic: What Went Wrong?
There wasn’t just one mistake. There were layers of it.
1: Braces weren’t removed properly, causing enamel erosion
2: A lingering anterior crossbite remained untreated
3: The patient’s complaints were either dismissed or handled with short-term fixes like cement that peeled off days later
4: And worst of all, no one explained what was happening
One doctor denied everything. The second never showed up in court. But the evidence was already building.
The Verdict That Spoke for Every Patient Silenced
The Karnataka State Dental Council reviewed the case. Their findings revealed that this was not conventional therapy. The devastation was real. This lack of communication is inexcusable. The consumer court awarded ₹2,00,000 in compensation, ₹50,000 in refund of procedural fees, and ₹5,000 for legal costs after an expert assessment.
Not simply for the dental error, but for infringing on the patient’s entitlement to transparency, care, and dignity.
Why This Case Matters to Every Healthcare Professional
Because, in this story, numbers do not lie, but neither do they heal. ₹2.5 lakh may appear like a fine. However, it also hurts the clinic’s reputation and leaves a legal scar. This one case serves as a reminder that each procedure, patient encounter, and consent paperwork is important. And, the truth is, even the most ethical and qualified doctor can encounter a situation like this. It only takes one allegation, one gap in paperwork, and one disgruntled patient. What counts is how prepared you are before it arrives at your home.
Why Every Doctor, Dentist, and Hospital Needs Indemnity in 2025
It makes no difference if you run a one-room clinic or a multispecialty hospital. Medical lawsuits do not knock before entering. They never wait for the truth. That is why professional indemnity insurance and hospital indemnity insurance are not optional; they provide legal, financial, and reputational protection all in one.
1. Legal fees? Covered.
2. Damages? Covered.
3. Allegations? Defended.
4. Your practice? Protected.
Why IDA Backed CoverYou?
Because when a situation like this arises, you do not need a generic policy; instead, you need professional association-backed protection. CoverYou offers indemnity coverage exclusively for doctors, dentists, and hospitals. CoverYou’s Professional Indemnity provides comprehensive medico-legal support, from claim filing to court response, with fast onboarding, clear policy terms, and actual person support without any hidden fees. We don’t only insure your practice. We safeguard your practice and future. When your career is to heal others, we ensure your safety when the world turns against you. That’s what CoverYou promises.
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