Doncaster woman wins out of court settlement in legal row with dentist

Angela Dixon took legal action because she believed her former dentist had been negligent in looking after teeth. He has not admitted liability.

She claimed he failed to spot and treat gum disease that had been present for many years, and that he failed to identify bone loss at Mrs Dixon’s teeth.

She said it led to considerable dental problems including lost teeth, and that she would need to have crowns fitted.

Mrs Dixon said. “I now put my hand across my mouth when talking to people sometimes because I am so embarrassed about the damage. Not to mention the pain and the lost teeth."

Mrs Dixon, aged 61, ran an interiors shop in Doncaster, before moving to Somerset.

She has been awarded compensation from her former dentist with the help of specialist dental negligence solicitors the Dental Law Partnership.

Mrs Dixon visited Christopher Shelswell at The Shelswell Dental Practice in Cantley, Doncaster between 1988 and 2017.

The Dental Law Partnership took on Mrs Dixon’s case in 2018. The case has been settled after the dentist paid £8,750 in an out of court settlement. The dentist did not admit liability.

Mr Shelswell has now retired and now longer works at Shelswell Dental Practice.

In a statement, Shelswell Dental Practice said: “We are sorry to learn of Mrs Dixon’s experience. The dentist in question, Chris Shelswell, is not a local dentist; he sold the practice and retired in 2018.

"He no longer works at the practice. The new practice management have strived to maintain good relationships and want every patient to have a good experience at our NHS dental practice.

"The case in question dates prior to current ownership and is not a reflection of the quality care provided under the new management. We strive for the best dental care and have implemented a new regime to improve service delivery and patient experience.

"Since the change in management we have had numerous positive feedback from our patients in relation to the systems implemented and services provided.

Thank you to all who support local journalism with a print subscription. The events of 2020 mean trusted, local journalism is more reliant than ever on your support. We couldn't do it without you. Please subscribe here https://www.localsubsplus.co.uk/ so we can keep campaigning on your behalf. Stay safe.