A British woman has received a £10 000 out-of-court settlement after her jaw was broken during a tooth extraction, leading to a series of complications – and for which the dentist has still not accepted liability.
The procedure, which she described as lasting “a good 45 minutes”, resulted in a fractured jaw, sinus issues, and a stroke-like drooping of her lip.
The Independent reports that Emily Starling (53) visited the practice in 2021 complaining of pain in an upper left tooth.
During the subsequent extraction in May that year, she heard a disturbing and “almighty crack”. The dentist, who cannot be named for legal reasons, then told her that her jaw had been fractured and halted the procedure.
The incident led to a series of complications for Starling, including infections, sinus problems, and pus dripping into her throat.
She eventually underwent surgery in October 2021 to remove the tooth and fractured bone. While the procedure addressed the immediate physical issues, Starling said she remained “paranoid” about her teeth and appearance.
Her case was handled by the Dental Law Partnership, specialist dental negligence solicitors, and settled in December 2024 with a £10 000 payment, although the dentist involved did not admit liability.
Impacts
Starling said she has to mentally accept the resulting medical challenges “for the rest of my life”.
“My facial structure has changed, with the left side of my mouth slanted, and the lip drooping. People say it looks as if I have had a stroke.”
She said when she had started suffering from pain in her upper left tooth, she had booked an appointment with the dentist, who told her the tooth was decayed and unrestorable and would need extracting. She assumed it would be a simple procedure.
However, the visit turned into a “nightmare”.
Forceful
“He was pulling the tooth for ages, more than 40 minutes, and was very forceful, but it wasn’t budging. Suddenly, I heard a loud crack and thought he might have broken my tooth. But instead, he had broken my jaw.”
She said the dentist then abandoned the extraction and said he could not remove the tooth as it was still attached to the bone.
She said she was left in the waiting room by herself, crying in pain, while she waited for further information.
When she was invited back into the room, he told her he had fractured her jaw. He gave her a prescription for antibiotics and said she should eat soft foods for the week.
However, at the pharmacy, she was told the dentist had not stamped the prescription and she was refused the medication.
“I stood there and just cried. I was in agony.”
The next week, the dentist placed a composite splint in her mouth for the fracture, which was to remain for four to six weeks.
But it did not last, as the splint debonded a couple of times and once got stuck in her throat.
At one point, Starling said a fragment of bone from her jaw came out in her hand.
She called the dental practice several times about these complications, but was made to feel like a “nuisance”.
“I’ve never experienced such horrendous and appalling care.”
Over the next couple of months, she developed multiple infections and sinus issues, and her mental health deteriorated, leading her to have therapy, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
She was in constant pain as the left side of her mouth was throbbing; she developed cysts, which caused pus to drip into her throat; and she felt heavy pressure in her head whenever she was bending.
“I did not sleep, I couldn’t put my face on the pillow,” she said. “I was starving as well… I was just eating soup.
“I thought I would never be able to open my mouth again.”
After visiting her GP, she underwent treatment in October 2021 to remove the tooth and fractured bone under general anaesthetic at William Harvey Hospital in Ashford. She then contacted the Dental Law Partnership, which took on her case, and it was successfully settled in December 2024.
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