A West End performer has been awarded £11,000 in compensation after a dentist mistakenly extracted the wrong tooth during a procedure in central London. Jennifer Hepburn, 45, from Lewisham, southeast London, sought treatment in June 2025 to remove a broken tooth but endured a traumatic experience due to a failure to accommodate her medical condition.

Hepburn has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a connective tissue disorder that requires special precautions during dental procedures, including the use of extra local anaesthesia and minimal force to prevent excessive bleeding. Despite clearly informing the dentist and providing a referral form outlining these needs, the extraction was carried out aggressively. Hepburn reported that the dentist shook her head violently while attempting the removal, causing intense pain that forced her to stop the procedure multiple times.

At a follow-up appointment, the dental practice acknowledged that the wrong tooth had been extracted. Due to the distress caused by the initial procedure, Hepburn required full sedation for the subsequent surgery to remove the correct tooth. She described ongoing pain that persisted for up to six weeks, leading to missed work and rehearsals. Medication was prescribed to manage her discomfort, and she expressed a lasting fear of returning to dental care.

Hepburn sought legal representation from The Dental Law Partnership, which settled the claim out of court. The dentist involved did not admit liability in the settlement. Rebecca McVety, a solicitor with the firm, stated that the pain and distress experienced by Hepburn were entirely avoidable.

The case highlights the importance of adhering to patient medical information and the potential consequences when protocols are not properly followed during dental treatment.