The starting point to any dental claim will be the “Judicial College guidelines for the assessment of general damages in personal injury cases”
This is basically a small book used by Judges to value damage to different parts of the body. The book is broken down into 13 different sections.
Section 1 – Injuries resulting in death
Section 2 – Injuries involving paralysis
Section 3 – Brain and head injuries
Section 4 – Psychiatric and psychological damage
Section 5 – Injuries affecting the senses
Section 6 – Injuries to internal organs
Section 7 – Orthopaedic injuries
Section 8 – Chronic Pain
Section 9 – Facial injuries
Section 10 – Scarring
Section 11 – Injuries to the hair
Section 12 – Skin conditions
Section 13 – Minor injuries
Damage to teeth is contained in Section 9 under facial injuries. The guidelines give different brackets of compensation to be awarded based upon the severity of the injury – the more severe the injury – dental or not – is worth more money.
Loss of or serious damage to one front tooth is worth between £1930 and £3460. This is for the pain and suffering element alone. Loss of or damage to a back tooth is worth £960 to £1500.
Significant chronic tooth pain for a number of years together with significant deterioration in the overall condition of the tooth can be worth in the region of £33,430.
It is important to remember that each dental case is different and each dental claim will be valued upon its own merits.