Doc to pay up for extracting wrong tooth

In her complaint,Poonam Devi had stated that in March 2009,she visited the Government Dispensary in Sector 3 as she complained of pain in her left lower jaw. The dentist there told her that her sixth tooth was tender and prescribed medicines for three days.

In June,Poonam again complained of the same pain and visited the clinic of Dr Ashima Kohli. According to Poonam,Kohli told her that the seventh tooth of her left lower jaw was carious,resulting in the pain. When Poonam informed her that her previous doctor had told her that her sixth tooth was infected,Kohli assured her that she will take a note of it at the time of extraction.

Later,Kohli extracted a tooth from her mouth and prescribed medicines for five days. Before extraction,no X-ray was taken of the ailing tooth. Since Poonam did not get any relief,she visited Kohli again. When the dentist checked Poonam’s mouth,her husband found that the wrong tooth had been extracted. Following this,the couple filed two case against Kohli– one with the police and another with the consumer forum.

In her reply,Kohli stated that she had extracted the right tooth,since it was carious.

In its order,the Commission observed that if the right tooth had been extracted,the patient would not have continued to the feel pain.