Mistakes.

Mistakes can happen. My guide in pg used to say, "If you will work, complications are bound to happen." So what do you do when you break that file in the mesial root of the upper molar? Or when you remove a lower third molar and the patient reports numbness of the lip the next day?

These are iatrogenic mistakes, complications that could have been avoided if you had been careful in studying the radiograph, careful in looking at the curvature and calcification of the root canal, carefully evaluated the relationship of the inferior alveolar nerve with the wisdom tooth, and got a CBCT done to clarify any doubt that you had in mind.

So mistakes can happen and you can unknowingly harm and damage the patient.

My philosophy is simple: own it up, do whatever you can to help the patient, bear the cost and do not irritate the patient further. And of course, apologise. Only and only when you seek forgiveness and do not try to shrug off the responsibility can you become successful in the field of dentistry. Because trust me mistakes will happen.