A dental practice in the Devon area

3. Mrs R complains about the care and treatment she received from the Practice. She says that it did not provide professional cleanings at appointments in May or November 2018.

4. Mrs R says if the Practice had provided the cleanings she would not have developed periodontal disease.

5. By bringing this complaint to us Mrs R is seeking an admittance of a failure to provide professional cleaning. She would also like compensation for the distress caused and to cover the cost of her care.

6. Mrs R had her first appointment at the Practice in May 2018. Mrs R reported bleeding gums. The dentist carried out a Basic Periodontal Examination (BPE) and found bleeding gums and gum recession. Mrs R declined X-rays. Mrs R's periodontal health was found to be good. The dentist gave Mrs R dental hygiene and dietary advice.

7. Mrs R had an appointment in November 2018, and she reported bleeding gums. The dentist carried out a BPE and found Mrs R’s periodontal health to be good. The dentist gave Mrs R dental hygiene and dietary advice. Mrs R declined to have X-rays.

8. Mrs R next visited the Practice in November 2019, and again reported bleeding gums. Mrs R had X-rays and a BPE. The results showed that Mrs R’s periodontal health had deteriorated. The dentist gave oral hygiene and dietary advice and recommended treatment with a hygienist. Mrs R had periodontal disease treatment the same month.

12. Before we decide if we should investigate a complaint, we look at whether there are signs the organisation has got something wrong. We do this by comparing what should have happened with what did happen. We have done this, and we have not found any indications that something has gone wrong.

13. Mrs R says that she developed periodontal disease because the Practice did not do professional cleanings in May and November 2018. Mrs R says she presented with bleeding gums at both appointments, which she says is a sign of gum disease. She says she has experienced bleeding gums for some time and professional cleanings should have been carried out.

14. The Good Practitioner’s Guide to Periodontology states that a Basic Periodontal Examination (BPE) should be done at each appointment. If a patient has a score of 0, 1 or 2 generally no treatment is needed, or simple cleaning and polishing of the teeth with oral hygiene instruction is carried out.

15. The clinical records show that BPE’s took place during both appointments. The charts show scores of 1 for both dates. In line with the guidance no treatment was needed, and the dentist did give oral hygiene instruction.

16. X-rays are used in conjunction with the BPE to show any bone loss or gum disease, and advice is provided to the patient following the results. The records show that Mrs R declined X-rays in May and November 2018. The Practice say Mrs R was given the option to have X-rays and was advised of the risk of undetected problems. The guidance says X-rays should be available for scores of 3 and 4.

17. Mrs R next saw her dentist in November 2019. Mrs R had a BPE with scores of 2 and 3. Mrs R consented to X-rays. The results of the investigations indicated the need for treatment for periodontal disease. Mrs R had the treatment later the same month.

18. We are sorry to hear Mrs R developed periodontal disease. We acknowledge the diagnosis was upsetting and caused her distress. We have not seen that there are any indications the Practice did anything wrong. The records indicate the Practice appropriately examined and advised Mrs R in May and November 2018. This is in accordance with the guidance and good clinical care. It therefore would not be appropriate for the Practice to cover the cost of her dental care.

1. We have carefully considered Mrs R’s complaint about a dental practice in the Devon area (the Practice). We are sorry to learn that she developed periodontal disease. Understandably Mrs R has found this difficult. We acknowledge that complaining about her care has been stressful.

2. We have seen no indication that anything went seriously wrong with the care and treatment provided to Mrs R by the Practice. We find the Practice acted in accordance with guidelines and good clinical care.