Gold Coast businessman Rod Lambert sues dentist Dr Shannon Webber over extraction

A Gold Coast dental surgeon is fighting a negligence action over allegations of an ‘unnecessary, violent and painful’ tooth extraction that the patient – a prominent businessman – claims left him unable to work and suffering a loss of libido.

A Gold Coast dental specialist and a prominent Glitter Strip businessman are set to face off in court over disputed allegations of a “violent” and “reckless” tooth extraction.

Coast real estate agent Rod Lambert has launched a negligence action against fellow Mermaid Beach resident Dr Shannon Webber, alleging the maxillofacial surgeon ‘trespassed’ on him by unnecessarily pulling out two teeth.

Mr Lambert alleges in a statement of claim that he was left with fractured skull bones as a result of the ‘unnecessary, violent and painful’ extraction, has been unable to work and suffers from ongoing pain, major depression and loss of libido.

Gold Coast real estate agent Rod Lambert alleges he was left with a fractured skull after dental work. Picture: AAP/David Clark

Dr Webber is defending the action and has strenuously denied the allegations, stating the surgery was “routine, skilfully performed, did not involve excessive force and was not unnecessary’.

He states in his defence that Mr Lambert suffers from a range of pre-existing health conditions, including jaw pain caused by bruxism, or excessive teeth grinding.

The stoush stems from two teeth Mr Lambert had removed separately by Dr Webber in 2015 after the businessman complained of chronic face pain.

Mr Lambert alleges in his claim that the extractions were “violent, highly distressing and caused him extreme discomfort”.

He alleges Dr Webber exercised “poor and rash judgment” and used “inordinate force and poor instrumentation”, made “repeated and reckless misdiagnosis” and performed “unnecessary, arbitrary, inappropriate and reckless surgical intervention”.

“The defendant acted fraudulently in the sense that he was reckless as to whether the treatment was either appropriate or necessary to resolve the symptoms or at all,” the claim alleges.

It alleges Dr Webber committed “trespass” on Mr Lambert because “the plaintiff did not in fact consent to the treatment as it was not necessary to treat the symptoms”.

Gold Coast maxillofacial surgeon dental surgeon Dr Shannon Webber.

In his defence, Dr Webber denies the tooth extractions were violent and unnecessary or that they caused any fractures, stating the surgery was “straightforward, routine and carried out without difficulty”.

Dr Webber states that in treating Mr Lambert, he “acted in a manner that was widely accepted by professional peer opinion, by a significant number of respected practitioners in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery, as competent practice”.

The surgeon states that if he did “negligently” remove the teeth – which he denies – it did not cause any of Mr Lambert’s alleged injuries or economic losses which were due to “multiple” and “unrelated” pre-existing conditions.

He states that he provided “all appropriate advice, warnings and information” before the extractions and Mr Lambert gave “full and proper consent”.

While Dr Webber denies Mr Lambert has sustained any loss or damage, he says that he would be entitled to maximum damages of $2880 per tooth if he wins the case.