Dentist cut out a chunk of woman’s lip AND cheek when he slipped

A WOMAN has this week revealed how she lost a huge chunk of her cheek and lower lip when a dentist who was taking out a wisdom tooth slipped and fell.

Kayley McEwan, 31, was left in agony and with permanent nerve damage after the dentist, who was meant to be extracting two wisdom teeth, sliced into her face in 2013.

Dr Olugbenga Olusanya, from Blue Cross Dental Care in Watford, slipped while pulling at Kayley's tooth.

The appraisals assistant, from Watford, Herts, needed four stitches to close the huge wound on her left cheek, measuring 7cm wide by 5.5cm long from her lip to her jaw.

She has permanent numbness to the left side of her mouth and was recently awarded £22,000 in compensation.

She said: "It took Dr Olusanya so long to extract that one tooth that I was in the chair for over an hour.

"The anaesthetic had to be topped up twice because it took so long.

"As soon as I left I was immediately sick and was still bleeding from my cheek.

"I didn't have any initial concerns about Dr Olusanya.

"I'd been referred there so had no reason to worry."

Kayley experienced severe pain and swelling and went back to see Dr Olusanya twice after the operation when she reported she could not feel her lower left lip, teeth or chin after the extraction.

She said: "I feel traumatised by what has happened.

"Not only did I feel immediately unwell following the extraction, but I even experienced really bad earache and headaches for a few weeks after.

"I've now also got permanent nerve damage across the left side of my mouth, from my front lip all the way to the back of my jaw.

"It's just upsetting to know that it could have all been avoided. I've now got to live with the consequences of someone else's mistake.

"Not only am I numb on the left side but because of that I feel self-conscious when I talk in case I end up dribbling without realising.

"I have to hold my hand up in front of my mouth when I talk to people now."

The horror incident happened in September 2013, and Kayley contacted the Dental Law Partnership.

She received £22,000 in an out of court settlement in April but the dentist denied liability.

Dr Olusanya said: "While I do not agree with the facts as portrayed by The Dental Law Partnership, I am limited in what I can say due to patient confidentiality.

"I would like to assure my patients that I always aim to provide the best service at all times."

Christine Salter of The Dental Law Partnership said: "The trauma and pain our client experienced was completely unnecessary.

"We hope the compensation she receives goes some way towards paying for any additional treatment that is required."