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A further elaboration of these 137 cases is displayed in table 10. In the 'technical
complication' group the problems were insufficient root-filling quality and in the
'incorrect treatment' group persisting infection was the commonest.
If the dentist had explained why it was not possible to reach the best technical result,
for example due to difficult root canal anatomy the dentist was found not guilty. In
case of separated instruments (Table 10) the vast majority of the involved teeth were
multi-rooted and the dentist was found guilty of malpractice if the root canal anatomy
was simple, the root filling on top of the instrument was defective, apical pathology
was persistent, or the patient was not informed. In no case was the absence or
presence of rubber dam commented on by any of the Dental Complaint Boards.
DCB decisions
Verdict of No verdict of
malpractice malpractice Settlement Rejection Total n !%)
Technical complications
Defective root fifling (short, long, leaking, 31 11 2 44 {32.1)
not all root canals root filled)
Separated instrument 10 16 (11.7)
Root perforation (following instrumentation 8 1 9 (6.6)
or post-preparation)
Medicament related (all events after use of 4 (2.9)
a paraform· aldehyde product)
Other complications (e.g. a foreign body in 10 2 12 (8.8)
maxillary sinus, nerve damage)
Incorrect treatment
Symptoms of infection 3 18 23 {16.8)
Tooth was weakenedifractured/extracted 10 12 (8.8)
Treatment related persistent pain 12 14 (10.2)
Incorrect treatment is stated but not further 2 3 (2.2)
detailed
Total 55 74 5 3 137 (100.1)
Sex differem
The female
procedures (
the positive ·
following fac
type','fever',
equal (Stud
frequently u~
sessions per
satisfactory I
about their
perceptions.
was underei
females (Sh
claim (Stud~
related com1
general prop
of complain<
0.0001; x 2 =
who receivec
Table 10. Sub-categorization of "technical complications" and "incorrect treatments" and the DCB
(Dental Complaint Board) decisions 1995-2002. (Source: Table 4, Study VI. Reprinted with permission
from International Endodontic Journal, Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford).
A significantly higher frequency of a verdict of malpractice was noted in the 'technical
complication' group (56%) compared to the 'incorrect treatment' group (13.5% ).
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