Risk management techniques for the general dentist and specialist.
Malpractice litigation is part of everyday clinical practice and is an area of which all dentists need to be aware. With proper forethought and planning, this vexing issue can be controlled and made less anxiety producing. The astute clinician must be as diligent in risk-reduction management and strategies as he/she is in practicing excellent dentistry. This article discusses various preventive measures that can be used to help mitigate malpractice claims and preclude them from developing. Good patient communication, rapport, and excellent documentation are the keys to minimizing, and possibly eliminating future lawsuits.
Dym
Harry
H
Department of Dentistry and Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, The Brooklyn Hospital Center, 121 Dekalb Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA. hdymdds@yahoo.com
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D003792:Dental Records / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D003797:Dental Staff; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D005260:Female; D005792:General Practice, Dental / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D008297:Male; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018024:Peer Review, Health Care; D011215:Practice Management, Dental / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D016079:Refusal to Treat; D012308:Risk Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013039:Specialties, Dental / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States