Patient Left Needing Costly Corrective Procedures After Dental Implants Fell Out Following Surgery Abroad

A woman who ‘lost her smile’ after costly dental implants fell out is taking her legal battle to the High Court as she seeks support to help correct dental work carried out in Hungary.

Bridget McPherson from Leeds saved for four years to afford the £10,750 dental implant surgery.

But the 42-year-old instructed expert International personal injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell after the majority of her implants fell out post-surgery. She has been left with an uneven smile as well as on-going pain and discomfort.

The experience has heavily impacted on Bridget’s confidence, leaving her with reduced self-esteem as she feels self-conscious about the appearance of her teeth. 

Because of this, Bridget now feels unable to smile, and she also faces a bill of at least £20,000 for complex reconstructive dental surgery.

Now, her legal team at Irwin Mitchell is asking the High Court, sitting in Birmingham today, to determine who was responsible for Bridget’s care so that she can continue with her legal battle.

Bridget says: “My whole experience has been a nightmare.

“I saved for years and years and researched online to find the best dentist to carry out my treatment. I found an English company who were advertising for people to have dental treatment in Hungary at a good price.

“I was reassured by the company’s excellent online reviews, as well as the fact that the dentists who would carry out my treatment were registered with the General Dental Council in England, but what I have been left with is horrifying.

“My confidence is at rock bottom, I am in constant pain and unable to smile.

“I just wanted to feel confident in my smile but I have been left feeling even worse. I have been forced to pursue a legal case in order to obtain the funds needed to correct my teeth, which will cost far more than I could ever hope to afford.

“I hope that following the outcome of this hearing, my case can progress without further unnecessary delay so that I can move on with my life.”

Bridget booked her treatment with Dentist Abroad Limited, a company registered in England, which arranged for her travel to Hungary and for her to have dental treatment in Budapest.

She travelled to Budapest for treatment in February, and again in October 2012. The surgeries were performed by Dr Attila Toth and Dr Zsolt Budai.

The High Court is being asked to consider which of four defendants – Dentist Abroad Ltd, A3 Medical Ltd, Dr Toth and Dr Budai - owed Bridget a duty of care, either contractually or non-contractually, and whether any such duties should be assessed under English or Hungarian law.

The hearing is scheduled to begin at 10am.

Cheryl Palmer-Hughes, an expert in international personal injury claims at Irwin Mitchell, representing Bridget, said: “It has been a long and painful wait for Bridget to reach this point.

“Bridget has endured significant pain and suffering following her treatment in Hungary. A smile is an important aid to communication and, being left without hers, Bridget has become anxious, withdrawn and has lost a huge amount of confidence, which in turn has put a huge strain on her job and family life.

“We are hoping that the decision will allow us to resolve these preliminary legal issues so that Bridget’s legal battle can then proceed to the next step.

“Ultimately Bridget is seeking financial compensation to fund the specialist surgery she requires to give her back her smile and to compensate her for the ordeal that she has suffered over the past four years”.

Read more about the work of Irwin Mitchell's Dental Negligence Team here.