CHENNAI: The statements regarding the alleged initial justification and subsequent admission of negligence by a dentist, who was directed to pay damages to a patient for replacing the wrong tooth, were not findings of the consumer forum, but averments from the complainant’s petition, said the advocate representing the doctor.

Also, the advocate added, the details regarding the patient’s alleged suffering, including nerve injury and bleeding, were also part of the petition and not the order.

The news report that appeared on December 30, 2025, titled ‘Pay Rs 2.05 lakh to patient for replacing wrong tooth: Consumer court to dentist’, has inadvertently reproduced these claims from the complainant’s petition as factual conclusions. The court has not recorded any finding on these specific allegations, including any admission of negligence by the dentist, in the absence of supporting evidence on record.

These remain allegations from the complaint and not judicial findings, the advocate clarified.