Decision Report 201702748

Summary

Mr C complained that staff at the dental practice had failed to deal appropriately with his concerns that his gums continued to bleed after having four teeth extracted. He was on warfarin medication (a medication to prevent blood clots) which meant that he was at high risk of bleeding. He reported this to the dentist, who said that it would be alright and he could leave the practice. When Mr C got home, the bleeding continued and he contacted the practice again and was asked to attend. He saw a second dentist who also said that he was not to worry and that the bleeding would stop. However, the bleeding continued that evening and Mr C had to attend hospital, where the bleeding eventually stopped and he was sent home.

We took independent advice from an adviser in general dentistry and concluded that the second dentist was aware that Mr C was on warfarin medication and that they had repeated the advice given earlier by the first dentist about what Mr C should do in the event of bleeding from his gums. We considered this to be reasonable and we did not uphold the complaint.