Q: Dentist added crowns to 3-year-old without consent in Houston
During a dental procedure for my 3-year-old daughter in Houston, the dentist added 10 additional crowns without my prior consent or notification. This left me confused and upset, as she is very young and I was not given the chance to seek a second opinion from another dentist. What legal steps can I take to address this situation?
A: Dentists are licensed and regulated by the Texas Board of Dental Examiners and are held to meet the standards of care outlined in its rules and regulations. Informed Consent is a primary step before proceeding with any dental procedure. The dentist is required to provide the patient (in your case, a parent of a young child) with details about the procedures to be performed and any associated risks. Usually, the dentist will have a discussion with the patient and present an "informed consent" document for signature showing approval to perform the procedure. I would suggest that you consult with an attorney familiar with medical malpractice litigation in Texas for assistance in investigation of your claim and possible legal action that may be necessary as these cases may be complex in following Texas law. I hope this information is helpful.
Raymond Chow agrees with this answer
Justia Ask A Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get free answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask A Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between Justia and you, or between any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions and you, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask A Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
