We all depend on our dentists for care of our teeth and gums, but they are also our first responders when it comes to screening for oral cancer. Because cancer can be a serious or fatal disease, a betrayal of our trust by our dentist is alarming. For decades, Lance Ehrenberg, Esq., a distinguished Manhattan oral cancer attorney, has fought vigorously for the rights of clients who have suffered personal injury due to dental negligence. He is especially gifted in bringing justice to dental patients who have suffered worsening oral cancer because of dental inexpertise or lack of awareness.
If you are suffering in the aftermath of your dentist’s negligence, it is time to contact Lance to have your case evaluated free of charge. At your initial consultation, he will be able to let you know whether you have a viable claim for damages. If so, he will immediately begin strategizing how best to bring you the compensation you are legally entitled to. He handles dental malpractice cases on a contingency basis so you will be charged no attorney’s fees until he recovers damages.
Where Oral Cancer Can Occur
The reason dentists have been trained to be acutely aware of oral cancer is that they examine the areas in which it first appears on a daily basis. As dentists examine your teeth and gums, they are taught to pay close attention to any abnormalities in the following locations:
- Lips
- Gums
- Neck
- Tongue
- Inner lining of the cheeks
- Roof of the mouth (upper palate)
- Floor of the mouth (under the tongue)
Types of Oral Cancer and Their Symptoms
Oral cancer can manifest in various forms, all of which your dentist has been taught to recognize. The most common types of oral cancer include:
- Basal cell can appear on any part of the body exposed to sunlight, including the lips.
- Squamous cell carcinoma which affects the lining of the mouth and throat, and can appear as rough, scaly, thickened or wartlike.
- Leukoplakia which appears as thickened, white patches that cannot be scraped off and may appear on the gums, inside the cheeks, the bottom of the mouth and sometimes on the tongue, and is believed to be linked to tobacco use.
- Verrucous carcinoma, a less aggressive form of cancer, typically presenting as a slow-growing lump or thick patch in the mouth, is, fortunately, rare and highly treatable.
- Minor salivary gland carcinomas include cancers like adenocarcinoma, which affects the minor salivary glands in the mouth.
- Melanoma of the head and neck can occur anywhere on the skin or on the
inside of the nose or mouth. It is the type of oral cancer most likely to spread to other tissues and therefore most likely to be deadly. Though rare, oral melanoma is noticeable since it presents as black, brown, or otherwise colored mucosal or tissue devoid of pigment.
Dentists Are Trained To Detect Possible Early Signs Of Cancer
Your dentist should notice abnormalities, bring them to your attention, and ask related questions about your oral and general health. Your dentist should also refer you to an oncologist or other specialist if you have any of the following:
- Unusual lesion in the mouth, especially a sore that doesn’t heal
- White or red patches on the gums, tongue, or lining of the mouth
- Persistent throat discomfort or feeling that something is caught in the throat
- Unexplained bleeding, numbness, or pain in the mouth
- Swollen lymph node in the neck
- Unexpected loose teeth
- Unexplained bleeding anywhere in the mouth
- Mass or thickening in the face, jaw, cheek, tongue, or gums
- Persistent sore or mass in the mouth that causes pain or poor denture fit
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or moving the tongue or jaw
- Persistent bad breath
- Unexplained weight loss
Dental Negligence in Regard to Oral Cancer Can Result in Serious Consequences
Negligence in dental practice regarding oral cancer can take various forms, such as:
- Failure to Detect: Missing early signs of oral cancer during routine examinations.
- Failure to Refer: Not referring a patient to an oncologist or other specialist for further evaluation of existing symptoms.
- Failure to Follow-Up: Lack of appropriate follow-up on abnormal findings or patient complaints related to potential oral cancer symptoms.
Any of the above can have profound or dire consequences, including worsening of the lesion, delaying treatment and allowing the oral cancer to spread to local tissues. In worst-case scenarios, dental negligence can lead to metastasis in which the cancer spreads to other regions of the body, requiring systemic treatment (such as chemotherapy) which may or may not be successful.
How Lance Ehrenberg Proves Malpractice
Our dental malpractice attorney has the well-honed skills to prove dental malpractice whether during sharp negotiations with opposing lawyers and insurance adjusters or, if necessary, through persuasive arguments in court. Either way, he knows precisely which strategies to use to prove that:
- Your dentist owed you a duty of care as their patient
- Your dentist did not provide the level of care a reasonably competent dentist would provide under similar circumstances
- Your dentist’s breach of standard care directly resulted in your personal injury
- Your personal injury resulted in quantifiable damages
Damages
Once Lance has proven the four elements of dental malpractice, he will fight aggressively to recover maximum damages for your losses, including:
- Medical costs, both current and future
- Lost income and earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disability
- Decreased quality of life
Contact Our Outstanding Manhattan Oral Cancer Attorney Today
If you suspect or are sure that your dentist’s negligence has resulted in the worsening of your oral cancer, now is the time to contact Lance Ehrenberg, Esq. Not only does he have rare, in-depth knowledge of dental malpractice law. He is also a compassionate human being who has spent his life fighting for patients whose dental providers have failed to protect them. Call him now so he can begin fighting for your right to maximum compensation for all you have been through.