I had neck surgery on 4/10. During anesthesia I had my two front teeth broken off my upper partial. The anesthesiologist and hospital knew I had a partial but evidentially did not protect it whatsoever. I was told I bit too hard on something in my mouth and the teeth broke off. Before surgery I signed a "Consent for anethesia" which basically informed me of the complicatiions that could take place which included "teeth and dental work"
My real question is: Since they knew that these injuries could take place and I informed them I had a partial, should they have taken more care to see that this particular damage would not happen?
Since my release, I have been informed by one person representing the hospital that they were not responsible and would not help pay for the damage.
My feeling is that once I signed the liability release, they were responsible for both me and them. I feel they were neglegent. Has anybody had a similar experience?
2007-04-21 04:05:57 · 7 answers · asked by buffoon 4 in Health ➔ Dental
Since YOU knew you had a partial, shouldn't YOU have taken it out before surgery?
2007-04-21 04:10:56 · answer #1 · answered by Alice K 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
If you had any type of anesth. than you should have been told to remove anything that is not fixed in your mouth, meaning a denture or partial. If you had removable appliances and they did not tell you to remove them than the fault should lie on their shoulders, however I don't know how you can prove that they did not tell you to remove the partial since you signed a consent to anesth. I am wondering if there was any area on that waiver that mentioned dentures or partials. If there was than you still have the responsibility because you signed the document. The idea to remove anything that is not permanently cemented in your mouth is the fact that you could inhale a partial or denture and suffocate, or you could inhale it into your lungs. This is why the person having anesth. should remove anything in their mouth that can be removed, such as dentures, tongue/lip piercings, partials, etc. You should consult with an attorney to see what your rights are.
2007-04-21 11:20:59 · answer #2 · answered by perioligament 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I have a partial and was told to take it out before surgery
it it has any steel on it you might be able to come back on them for that OR them not asking you to remove it before surgery
2007-04-21 11:12:51 · answer #3 · answered by caffsans 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off, under anesthesia, they would have removed your dentures. They make you take them out under ANY form of surgery. So, I think you are a liar and looking for someone to pay for YOUR mistake. Just get it fixed. It should only be about $ 200. to fix the plate.
2007-04-21 13:21:46 · answer #4 · answered by Bella 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The FIRST thing a good surgical pre-op nurse does BEFORE surgery, is ask if you have dentures [full OR partial]. The SECOND thing they do BEFORE surgery, is ask you to REMOVE them.
As for the anesthesiologist, he/she should have noticed immediately [while intubating you] that you had dentures, and removed them.
It sounds to me that the HOSPITAL was negligent.
2007-04-22 13:47:59 · answer #5 · answered by Ah J 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sadly, you probably have little recourse, as you signed the consent (which specifically referenced potential complications including dental damage). Unfortunately, you are likely stuck with funding the repairs yourself.
2007-04-21 11:11:17 · answer #6 · answered by michele 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I really think that they are responsible. If they don't pay the damage then go to cort or osmething. They should pay.
2007-04-21 11:14:08 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋