Like all industries, there are specific health and safety regulations that relate to the field of dentistry. While these guidelines cannot account for all clinical negligence claims in dental settings, they will provide good evidence of whether or not your injuries relate to dental negligence or not.
Dental health and safety regulations also call for dentists and other people in the practice to protect members of the public who come in for procedures, as well as members of staff who might have accidents at work. Dental surgeries can also be dangerous places, with sharp tools, devices that emit radiation
Infection Control And Medical Negligence Compensation
Dental solicitors frequently deal with illnesses that were caused by blood-borne viruses. The British Dental Association has published guidance on topics such as disinfection, cleaning, the design of workspaces and patient confidentiality to help dentists adhere to infection control recommendations and limit staff and client exposure to dangerous diseases. Adhering to regulations properly should make it almost impossible for people to become infected with blood-borne viruses at the dentist – there is no reason why a dental practice should be more dangerous than any other working environment.
If you have an infection or blood-borne virus that you believe you contracted at the dentists, solicitors may be able to help you make a dental negligence compensation claim.
Radiation And Clinical Negligence Claims
Dental practices also usually have dental X-rays, which have been linked to illnesses caused by exposure to radioactivity. While the occasional X-ray might not do patients any harm, the risks the radiation poses to them should be a consideration in dentistry. Furthermore, the safety of employees should be a priority in dentistry, as staff members are likely to receive far higher levels of exposure than the general public.
As X-rays are so dangerous, there are a large number of health and safety regulations that relate to their use. The machines must be checked and certificated and the doses of radiation received by patients must be strictly monitored.
Exposure to radiation can lead to a number of health problems. While the most obvious problem is cancer, genetic (relating to adult reproductive systems) and teratogenic (relating to the embryo) mutations can cause patient’s children to suffer from birth defects or other hereditary problems.
Read More: http://www.thelawinfo.com/personal-injury-law/dental-solicitors-and-health-and-safety-regulations/
