The need for an effective risk-management strategy for the dental profession has never been greater as dentists face the dual challenges of regulation and legislation and cope with the heightened expectations of an informed public. This book explores the many facets of risk management, including consent, ethical issues, effective communication, complaint resolution, and risk assessment.

This text provides suggestions for reducing risks of a law suit. Topics include a review of current standards, legal theories and defenses, consequences of preoperative discussions with patients , record keeping requirements, and follow up activities.

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY IN DENTISTRY Concise guide to practical information on dental law, ethics, and practice management, all tailored to any dental practice Professional Responsibility in Dentistry, Second Edition is a clinically oriented guide to legal and ethical requirements in a dental practice. This thoroughly revised new edition takes a practical approach, providing examples and case studies of situations that dentists may face, with discussions of dental law, risk management, professionalism, and ethics as they relate to each situation. Divided into four sections to allow for comprehensive and accessible coverage of the subject, the Second Edition adds new chapters on taking practices to the next level and how to read a profit and loss statement, as well as offering updates and new information throughout. Professional Responsibility in Dentistry provides key information on: Lawsuits, including the effects of losing one, the regulation of dentistry, and definitions of important legal concepts in the field The doctor-patient relationship, refusing to treat, medical-dental history, child and elder abuse, informed consent, and record keeping Statute of limitations, abandonment, standard of care, peer review, risk management, and managing employees and associates Starting or buying a practice, marketing for a successful practice, multispecialty practices, and taking your practice from ‘better’ to ‘best’ Bringing legal and ethical issues to life with real-world clinical cases, Professional Responsibility in Dentistry, Second Edition is an essential resource for dental students, new dentists, and any practicing dentist.

Managing risks in a dental practice is something that practitioners do every day, whether they are aware of it or not. Developed by leaders in the field of dental practice management, these guidelines are based on time-tested best practices of risk management to help dentists protect themselves and their practices. Covers: managing professional risks from a clinical standpoint; dealing with patient records; charting and documentation in a secure way; how to find a legal advisor; discussing the dental team's role in risk management; transitions and other changes.