Most healthcare providers are aware of their role and responsibility to identify and report victims of child abuse, elder neglect, and domestic violence. However, there is another type of abuse Read more

Infection control plays a critical role in the community dental office and should serve as the foundation for a high-quality, safe, and healthy treatment environment. Even on casual inspection, patients should readily recognize whether infection control techniques have been implemented in all areas of the practice. This includes examination rooms, areas where equipment is stored and medication is dispensed, reception and front-office business stations, as well as locations commonly used by patients, visitors, and guests, such as waiting rooms, staff lounges, and restrooms. Appropriate policies and procedures should be developed and routinely reviewed to help optimize infection control in the dental practice and to enhance the patient experience. Read more

Using appropriate guidelines can prevent a malpractice claim.The American Dental Association’s Code of Professional Conduct states: “Once a dentist has undertaken a course of treatment, the dentist should not discontinue that Read more

The Florida Board of Dentistry (Board) takes a dim view of those who alter dental records. If a licensee is found to have altered a dental record, the Board has a full range of penalties available to address the violation, including loss of the dental license and significant monetary penalties. Read more

Electronic health records (EHRs) are a collection of health records that present a comprehensive picture of an individual’s health. Records that are a part of that collection include electronic dental records (EDRs) and electronic medical records (EMRs). The end goal for EHRs is to have all of a patient’s information available for use by any healthcare provider or, in an aggregated form, for use in population health. Read more

Although the Internet provides a plethora of useful information, it becomes problematic when patients post unfavorable opinions about dentists and/or their services. It can be difficult to prevent negative comments from being posted to social media sites. It can be equally difficult to obtain a retraction or have a negative comment removed once it has been posted. Read more

Even when a patient is provided with care that meets the standard of care, complications may arise during, or as a result of, the treatment provided. It is often helpful to review this type of case to determine not only the root causes, but also how the complication was managed. Read more