The woman went to the dentist for an orthodontic evaluation for treatment to correct the alignment of her teeth, which
were "wonky" and off-centre because she was naturally missing her top right incisor (tooth 12).
The dentist provided treatment with braces and an upper fixed growth guiding appliance (FGA). After six months of
treatment, a gap opened where tooth 12 was meant to be. Prior to the treatment the woman was not informed by her dentist
that this gap would be opened, or the options to fill it (with a dental implant, bridge, or cosmetic shaping of the
adjacent tooth).
The woman said she would not have proceeded with the treatment if she had known the full extent of the treatment and the
cost involved in having an implant installed.
The Deputy Commissioner found that the dentist didn’t provide the woman with information about the fact that a gap would
be opened by the FGA at the tooth space, and the options and costs of correcting this.
"In my view the dentist did not provide information that a person in this woman’s circumstances would expect to receive
before commencing treatment. By failing to give the woman an explanation of the options available and their costs, the
woman was not in a position to make informed choices about her orthodontic treatment," said Deborah James.
"By the time the woman was aware of her options, she felt obliged to continue with the treatment because it was already
well underway."
She also recommended that the dental service use this case as a basis for a staff education session, and provide
evidence to HDC of steps taken to ensure that treatment options and costs are laid out clearly in its letters to
patients. She also asked the dentist to apologise to the woman.