Just before Christmas the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid, announced that in accordance with the recommendations of the independent inquiry into the issues raised by former surgeon Ian Paterson, the government would be bringing forward proposals for reforming the provision of indemnity in 2022.

Dr H is a popular and competent dentist who has worked in a suburban practice for nearly 10 years and knows his regular patients well.

There can be little more distressing than to receive a letter from a solicitor. They invariably appear unpleasant with words such as ‘allege’ and ‘negligence’ liberally scattered through the text.

The one thing that we can all agree on is that dentistry is very difficult. Many patients provide considerable challenges.

I have spent nearly 40 years on the roller coaster called dentistry. I have survived a variety of ups and downs, influenced by politics, finance, legislation and opinions on best practice. Overall, in that time, there can be no doubt that dentistry has improved. The range and quality of materials and equipment has developed to the extent that, in capable hands, wondrous outcomes are now possible.

All dentists occasionally run into trouble. Commonly, it is an allegation about attitude. But many issues arise about the treatment provided, complications arising afterwards, costs, and the options for treatment. Sometimes, however, a problem arises that you could not forecast.