Scottish woman upset by dentist's use of medical records

A woman in Scotland who was permanently disabled after having temporomandibular joint (TMJ) surgery is battling a dentist she claims "humiliated and harassed" her by using her confidential medical information without consent.

In 2003, Lisa McIntosh of Haddington had TMJ surgery that left her blind in one eye, partially paralyzed in the right side of her face, and with impaired hearing in her right ear, according to a story in the East Lothian Courier.

While compiling a case against the surgeon who did the operation, McIntosh's lawyers hired Geoffrey Wood, BDS, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, to write a medical-legal report. Dr. Wood subsequently used McIntosh's records, without her knowledge or consent, for a lecture at a conference.

Although Dr. Wood claimed he altered her information to prevent identification, a conference attendee recognized McIntosh's case.

McIntosh believes that because her case is unique and well-known in the medical profession -- hers is the only recorded case in the U.K. of blindness following TMJ surgery -- she can never be truly anonymous.

Her attorney warned Dr. Wood that he risked legal action if he continued to refer to her case, but the dentist said he would continue to use her medical information in an amended form at future lectures, according to the news story.

The General Dental Council ruled that while it did not condone Dr. Wood's actions, it would not take formal action against him because there was no risk to future patient safety.