Disgruntled patient of government dentistry advisor reaches out-of-court settlement

A retired phone engineer has received a £15,000 payout after taking legal action against a leading dentist for “ruining” his teeth.

Richard Jordan was a patient for more than 30 years of Dr Howard Myers, a former dentistry adviser to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, as well as the Brent and Harrow Health Authority.

Yet Mr Jordan, 65, claims the care provided by Dr Myers at his practice in Golders Green Road, Golders Green, left him unable to eat properly for two years.

The former BT engineer, of Agincourt Road, Gospel Oak, launched a legal claim in 2012 and, after a two-year battle, has finally secured a £15,000 payout in an out-of-court settlement.

He said: “Dr Myers treated me for more than 30 years. My teeth have been ruined and I now need to pay for expensive repeat treatment.

“I didn’t know my oral health was getting worse and I’ve now found out I’ve lost some of the bone in my mouth. Dr Myers left me in the dark.”

Mr Jordan suffers from gum disease and bone loss and faces dental therapy for the rest of his life.

Dr Myers is no longer practicing after voluntarily giving up his registration with the General Dental Council (GDC) in 2012.

At the time, he was due to face 18 allegations of providing poor care at a GDC hearing, following a complaint lodged by Mr Jordan.

Among the allegations, it was said Dr Myers had missed signs of gum disease, failed to diagnose infected molars, failed to treat tooth decay and fitted a crown so badly that it caused a fracture.

Dr Myers’ voluntary removal from the dental register resulted in the GDC hearing never taking place, but Mr Jordan was determined to pursue the matter.

Mr Jordan’s solicitor, Heather Williams, from the Dental Law Partnership, said: “Our client will need extensive dental treatment ongoing.”