A New Zealand dentist has been accused of professional misconduct. He left a piece of a dental instrument in a root canal but did not tell the patient. (Photo: milosljubicic/Shutterstock)

2014-3-26 | News Australia & New Zealand

AUCKLAND, New Zealand: According a New Zealand newspaper, a local dentist has been criticised by local health authorities for trying to cover up that he had left a broken piece of a dental file in a patient’s root canal. He had tried to retrieve the piece on three occasions, the authorities stated.

On Monday, the New Zealand Herald reported online that the dentist failed to disclose to the patient that the instrument had snapped during the root canal treatment, and tried to cover up the incident by trying to retrieve the piece in a number of retreatments, which he also failed to justify to the patient. 

In addition, the dentist did not inform the patient of the available treatment options, and the risks, side-effects, benefits and costs of those options.

Only on seeking a second opinion on the treatment, was the patient made aware of the file piece in his root canal. 

Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner Theo Baker accused the dentist of breaching the code of conduct in several respects. According to the New Zealand Herald, the incident has been referred to the Director of Proceedings, a lawyer appointed under the Health and Disability Commissioner Act, to review the case to make an independent decision on whether any further action is necessary.