A woman told a court of her troubled schooldays in Co Cork when classmates bullied her because she had prominent front teeth.
Ms Eibhlis Lorden (30) told Judge Liam Devally in the Circuit Civil Court yesterday the bullying continued for seven years until, at the age of 13, her four upper teeth were extracted and replaced with a denture.
Ms Lorden, now a teacher in Bray, Co Wicklow, said her Castletownbere parents could not afford remedial dental work because they were putting her two older brothers through college.
She told her counsel, Mr Robert Haughton, she had always been very self-conscious of her removable denture and wanted a bridge inserted.
Ms Lorden, of Seapoint Avenue, Dublin, said she had a bridge fitted when she was 22. Two years later she sought a better one. and wept as her lifelong dental history was examined in detail during a day-long trial.
She told the court Dr Merry's work had left her with a "goofy" look. She had developed a lisp. She had gone to another dentist who had fitted a new bridge with which she was delighted.
Dr Merry, who lodged a full defence, told his counsel, Mr Eugene Gleeson, he had found her to be someone who would be easily distressed. He remembered her reaction when he fitted her bridge to be one of delight. She had some complaints but she had sought out another dentist before he had time to complete remedial work.
Mr Frank Houston, a consultant in restorative dentistry, said after inspecting dental records he could not find any evidence of negligence by Dr Merry.
Judge Devally reserved judgment until next week.