During the Course of Performing a Root Canal on Dawn

question 15

Essay

During the course of performing a root canal on Dawn, Dr. Toth, an oral surgeon, gets an implement stuck in Dawn's tooth and it breaks. Dr. Toth cannot extract the broken piece of the implement from Dawn's tooth, so he leaves it there. He completes the root canal, and does not disclose to Dawn that he has left part of a dental implement imbedded in her tooth. Dawn's other dental work, including the placement of a crown on the tooth with the implement in it, is then completed. Two years later, Dawn begins to have significant problems with the tooth on which Dr. Toth performed the root canal. Dawn has a serious infection that requires the removal of not only the tooth that Dr. Toth performed the surgery on, but also the teeth on either side of it. She misses a significant amount of work to have the dental work performed and suffers a considerable amount of pain. Does Dr. Toth's conduct meet the requirements of a negligence claim? Explain why or why not.

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Definitions:

Salmon Populations

Groups of salmon within a specific area or ecosystem, often monitored for conservation and fishing purposes.

Whaling Activities

The practice of hunting and capturing whales for their resources such as meat, oil, and blubber.

Ethical Reasons

Justifications for actions or beliefs based on moral principles and values, often guiding decision-making processes in personal and professional contexts.

Salmon Fishing

The activity of catching salmon from their natural habitats, which can involve challenges related to sustainability and conservation.