A dentist has been ordered to pay a former patient £6,000 damages for clinical negligence.

The case could pave the way for more than 1,000 other victims to come forward.

James Hamilton, who was based at the Family Dental Group in New Church Road, Hove, was ordered to pay Neil Holbeche for a catalogue of mistakes made over 15 years of neglect.

Mr Holbeche, of Thomas Turner Drive, Lewes, has already spent more than £3,000 repairing damage caused by Mr Hamilton, known as Sim, and a further £8,000 would still be needed to make his teeth "properly functionable again", the court heard.

Mr Holbeche, 42, told Brighton County Court: "There are very few people in the South East who are capable of doing the work on my teeth and it would be very expensive.

"My teeth will never return to their former state, but about six to nine months' worth of suitable treatment will make them properly functionable again."

He added: "I believe I am the first test case. There are possibly hundreds if not thousands of others."

Mr Hamilton was not present at yesterday's hearing.

Mr Holbeche's solicitor, Sarah Mynard, of Farrington Webb, told the court she has 40 other cases against Mr Hamilton waiting to be dealt with.

She said: "There are numerous former patients who have been adversely affected and I have been told there are over 1,000 seeking compensation."

The case against Mr Hamilton, of Valley Road, Portslade, has been in limbo for two years because the Dental Defence Union (DDU), which acts for dentists facing such claims and would be liable for compensation, has been unable to decide whether Mr Hamilton is a paid-up member.

Mr Holbeche told the court: "Maybe it (the DDU) is deciding not to protect him fully because of the potential liability that is out there."

But Judge Michael Kennedy QC said this was "not an acceptable position".

He said: "I think it is about time they came down and helped us because he was either properly insured or he was not. If the DDU does not turn up I will think of another way of dealing with it."

Mr Hamilton was ordered to pay general damages of £6,000 plus the cost of future remedial care needed and the claimant's costs of claim.

Judge Kennedy has ordered the DDU to make a statement to the court in three weeks' time explaining its position.

After the case the DDU said it was unable to comment at this stage.

Mr Hamilton is no longer working as a dentist while the General Dental Group, which has the power to expel dentists, continues its own investigation.