Three and Thirteen....a Big Difference When Referring to Pulling Teeth
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The NY Daily News recently reported one painful - and unnecessary - dental procedure that could cost a dentist and a clinic millions.
In 2006, a South Carolina woman had 13 teeth extracted by mistake and was recently awarded a $2 million jury verdict.
The Plaintiff, Elizabeth Smith, 28, is first and foremost, looking forward to getting her teeth fixed, said her lawyer, Robert Ranson.
"She now sees [the] opportunity [to] move on with her life, and, in her words ... 'get back to being what she was' before this all happened," Ranson said.
Ms. Smith is still currently missing all of her top teeth. The cost of reconstructive surgery is estimated at $80,000.
In 2006, when Smith sought treatment at the Sexton Dental Clinic in Florence, she agreed to have a dentist pull just three teeth. The dentist, however, mistakenly removed all 16 of her top teeth.
While mistakes happen, the most disturbing aspect of the story is that Clinic employees then tried to cover up the mistake in her chart, Ranson said during trial. The clinic still denies that charge.
Sexton Dental Clinic CEO Ruan Westraad declined to comment, but noted the clinic has served tens of thousands of patients every year.
The clinic was founded in 1923 to provide dental care to people who couldn't otherwise afford a dentist. Clinic officials and their lawyer are currently weighing an appeal.