Parents accuse Milnerton dentist of removing wrong tooth from daughter - IOL

Family alleges dentist pulled the wrong tooth from their five-year-old daughter.

A family is consulting lawyers after a five-and-a-half-year-old girl allegedly had the wrong tooth removed at Intercare Milnerton, leaving the decayed tooth untreated and requiring additional dental treatment.

The girl had first been taken to the clinic on 26 September 2026 after complaining of toothache. Her parents said the dentist examined her, took X-rays and recommended extracting the decayed tooth.

Lambertus Koster said his daughter, Angelina, complained of a toothache. He took her to the clinic, where a dentist examined her and took X-rays before recommending an extraction.

“He [the dentist] recommended extracting the tooth, explaining that it was too badly decayed and could not be saved through root canal treatment,” Koster said.

“Based on his professional assessment and recommendation, we agreed to proceed with the extraction.”

Immediately after the procedure, Koster noticed that the wrong tooth had been removed.

“The last tooth was missing instead of the second-to-last tooth that the dentist had identified as being severely decayed. It was intact and showed no visible signs of decay, cavities, or black spots,” he said.

“I immediately questioned the dentist, asking him why he had removed the last tooth when he had clearly told us that the second-to-last tooth needed to be extracted.”

Koster said the dentist appeared uncomfortable when questioned. “He left the clinic without providing us with a satisfactory explanation,” the father said.

The family tried to contact the dentist for two weeks, but Koster said he still did not adequately address their concerns when he eventually returned to the clinic.

On Monday, 2 November, Angelina underwent treatment under general anaesthesia at a day hospital and was discharged the same day. Koster said his daughter had experienced ongoing pain and discomfort from the decayed tooth that had been left behind during the original procedure.

The family has started consulting lawyers. “We believe that both the dentist and the clinic should be held accountable for their actions and their failure to address this serious matter responsibly,” Koster said.

Dr Naqeeb Solomon, who treated Angelina, said he could not properly respond to the allegations within the deadline given.

“The patient’s parents have previously raised their concerns directly, and I intend to provide them with a considered response addressing the issues they have raised within the next few days,” he said.

“My decision not to do so within the deadline stipulated should not be construed as an admission of any of the allegations made.”

Intercare head of marketing Ronelle Crighton said patient privacy rules prevented her from confirming or discussing a child's care without written parental consent, but stressed they take every complaint seriously.

“A senior member of our head office team is reaching out to the family directly, so that we can listen and work with them towards a resolution,” she said.