A young patient comes in for an ankle operation and has her wisdom teeth removed by mistake

A 17-year-old girl was mistakenly had her wisdom teeth removed during a procedure intended for a foot operation, according to reports from local French media. The incident occurred at a clinic in Saint-Martin-Boulogne, in the Pas-de-Calais region, on July 10, 2026. The young patient, who had come with her mother for a scheduled appointment related to her ankle, was instead subjected to an unrelated dental surgery. The error led to emotional distress for both the patient and her family, prompting them to file a formal complaint against the medical facility. The mistake reportedly happened due to a mix-up in the scheduling and preparation of patients. According to La Voix du Nord, a regional newspaper, the surgeon’s team had prepared the young woman for a wisdom tooth extraction, which was meant for another patient. However, the anesthesia used was calibrated for the other individual, leading to confusion. The young patient was left in shock upon waking up and has since been experiencing anxiety and sleeplessness, as described by her mother. She expressed disbelief over the occurrence, stating it seemed more like a scene from a movie than a real-life event. The mother recounted how the dentist approached her in the waiting room after the procedure, apologizing and explaining the error. Despite the apology, she refused to meet with the surgeon again, expressing her dissatisfaction. The family has decided to pursue legal action against the clinic, citing the lack of proper pre-operative consultations and follow-up care that should have been part of such procedures. They emphasized that the removal of wisdom teeth requires specific appointments and antibiotic treatments, which were not properly addressed in this case. In response, the clinic stated that the situation was “exceptional and deeply regrettable,” and confirmed that an internal investigation has been launched to determine the exact circumstances of the error. The institution assured that its priority is the well-being of the patient and her family, along with providing full transparency regarding the incident. It also mentioned that the family was invited to speak with a representative from the hospital’s management, though they declined to sign a form that would allow them to claim compensation. The family's decision to take legal action reflects their frustration with the handling of the case. They believe the clinic failed to adhere to standard protocols for both types of procedures, dental and orthopedic. As a result, the young patient has yet to undergo the planned ankle treatment, and her mother indicated that it may take some time before the girl feels comfortable returning to a healthcare setting. This incident highlights potential gaps in communication and coordination within multi-disciplinary medical settings, raising concerns about patient safety and procedural accuracy.