CHANDIGARH: The district consumer disputes redressal forum directed Sector 31-based dentist to pay Rs 12,000 as compensation for failing to fit denture made for the complainant. The denture costed Rs 6,500, including prescription, and the dentist was asked to refund the same.
75-year-old senior citizen, a resident of Palsaura, Sector 55, Chandigarh, said the dentist, who claimed to be an expert in implant of dentures, advised her to get new denture implanted from him. She was examined by the dentist on April 26, 2019, who advised treatment against receipt of part payment of Rs 1,000 as mentioned on the prescription slip, including other payment amounting to Rs 5,500.
She disclosed her health condition to the dentist and was attended to by taking measurements etc. She was advised on various dates till May 7, 2019 when the denture was delivered and tried for use by fixing it on May 13, 2019 as per the prescription slip. It was assured that she will have no problem whatsoever and will be completely comfortable in using the denture. However, later the patient faced problems and could not use the same. She complained about it to the dentist, who advised her to use the same irrespective of the problems being faced by her. It was further averred that due to the negligent act of the dentist, she suffered boils and scars in her gums.
She then contacted another dentist and paid Rs 15,000 for the denture, but that too didn’t fit. Finally, she served a legal notice upon both the dentists and on receipt of the notice the second dentist returned the money. But the first dentist did not accept the mistake and did not refund the money.
The forum after going through the case said, “All the averments made by the complainant in the complaint have gone un-rebutted and uncontroverted as the dentist has failed to contest the case despite due service.” The dentist was then directed to pay up.