Dentist breaches rights

Dental work that cost a woman nearly $29,000 was unnecessary and of a poor standard, a report by the Health and Disability Commission has found.

Acting Health and Disability Commissioner Rae Lamb found the dentist breached rights of the Health and Disability Code both with the treatment he provided and his failure to document the proposed treatment.

The patient had requested, and received, a full refund from the dentist, who apologised for "the pain and suffering" caused.

But the report would be sent to the Dental Council of New Zealand for consideration.