"Predatory Dentists" Found Guilty for Excessive Tooth Extraction After 5-Week Trial

Dentists advocated the removal of teeth with amalgam fillings because they believed the fillings could cause mercury toxicity. They unnecessarily extracted teeth which caused an abundance of post-surgery complications and additional procedures, and resulted in even more expensive dental problems for three patients. The patients claimed the dentists used "predatory dentistry" to convince them that amalgam fillings had harmful side effects. The case was tried over the course of five weeks at the Orange County Superior Court. After two days of deliberation, the jury found the defendants liable and awarded the plaintiffs compensation for past and future medical and dental expenses. Additionally, plaintiffs succeeded in obtaining additional compensation after filing a motion for non-economic damages.