Life's unbearable without teeth

Back in 2002 Lana* was brutally assaulted which led to badly damaged teeth and a broken jaw. At the time she was under the impression that an ACC claim had been made. When she was ready to seek treatment, she was shocked to discover no claim had been put through.

Still, needing urgent treatment she went to the dentist, Lana was told some teeth needed to be removed while some were still salvageable. The dentist who made this recommendation was not able to treat her immediately and advised to seek treatment elsewhere. Lana went in for emergency dental work, but her right to be fully informed was not upheld as they didn’t clearly tell her the treatment she would receive. It was only after she had woken up from the procedure had she realised that ALL of her teeth were removed.

As you can imagine this has led to ongoing pain, anxiety, depression and other health complications of not being able to chew food and the restriction of foods she can eat.

It has been an arduous process in asking for financial and specialist assistance from government services. Lana had been declined by ACC, she made an appeal with the help of a lawyer which was declined. Auckland District Health Board also denied her funding for treatment. Lana has given up hope of ever getting her teeth back, but I will not give up on her and will do everything in my power to help her get the treatment she so deserves.

*A Note to our Community, we are using a pseudo name "Lana" to protect the privacy of our client.