A Dunston man has been awarded £4,000 in dental negligence compensation, after his dentist wrongly removed two of his bottom teeth.

Fifty six year old John Turnbull, from Dunston, in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, had two of his bottom teeth removed at the Glenholme Dental Practice, after being told by dentist Dr. David Stewart that he had an infection.

Following the extraction Mr. Turnbull suffered excruciating pain in his gums and had to take medication for several weeks to try and ease his condition, on his return to the dentist to receive further treatment he discovered that the practise had closed down.

Mr. Turnbull told the Sunday Sun newspaper that the pain in his gums made it difficult for him to eat properly and that attempting to clean his teeth was virtually impossible, he added that after being a patient at the practise for fifteen years he was disappointed with the standard of care he had received.

After taking legal advice Mr. Turnbull launched a claim for dental negligence compensation when it was discovered that his two bottom teeth could have been saved with alternative treatment, he was awarded £4,000 in damages following an out of court settlement.

Dr. Stewart has since retired, after several more complaints were made against him and he was struck off the Dental Register.