Publications & Resources

Disposing of Paper Dental Records and Imaging: Best Practices for Dentists

While many dentists have already completely embraced the electronic dental record, some practices still find the need to dispose of paper records and imaging. The following is some general information to consider when destroying paper dental records and imaging.

HIV Confidentiality in Dentistry: Answers to Dentists’ FAQs

Dentists know the vital importance of patient confidentiality, but it’s valuable to revisit how standard confidentiality and patient protections are heightened when it comes to HIV status.

Answers to Dentists’ FAQs About Dental Records: A Legal Perspective

Whether you’re a new dentist or someone who has been practicing for years, we all know that keeping accurate and up-to-date documentation is very important. We encourage you to read our most recent blog for a deep dive into the topic of dental records and why they’re important for you and your patients.

What To Do When Disaster Strikes Your Dental Office

One of the most challenging times to be a dental practice owner is right after disaster strikes. Whether the emergency is related to weather, theft, cybersecurity breaches or something else, the owner must lead the office out of the crisis while mitigating the damage as much as possible. Recovering from a disaster at your dental office is possible, especially if the owner and other office leaders are familiar with emergency response protocol ahead of time. Here are eight important steps to take after disaster strikes your dental office.

Case Study: Flood-Damaged Dental Records Force Dentist to Settle

A longtime patient of a MLMIC-insured dentist underwent extensive dental work over a period of seven years. The patient filed a lawsuit shortly after the work was completed, alleging a negligent full-mouth restoration resulting in bone loss, extractions, and the need for re-treatment. The dentist being sued reported to MLMIC that he was unable to produce much of the patient’s record as there had been multiple floods in the building that affected his office dental records.

Dental Record Protocol: Before and After Disaster Strikes

It is challenging to handle dental record protocol in the event that paper or electronic records have been damaged or destroyed by floods, other types of storms or by a ransomware attack. When dental records have been damaged or lost by accident, natural disaster or criminal computer compromise, prompt and appropriate action must be taken to mitigate the damage and/or loss. Immediate remedial measures must be undertaken for the benefit of patients as well as the dentist and the practice, as these losses may involve records from many years of treatment.

Tips for New Dentists: Our Top Three Risk Management Strategies

Risk management should be an integral component of dental practice. Establishing reliable policies and procedures in dental practices is vital for dentists to enhance patient safety and reduce the risk of exposure to claims of negligence. There are many strategies dentists can implement, but here are three which we consider to be the most important.

The Scope: Dental Records and Liability Protection – A Defense Attorney’s Perspective

The single most important factor in successfully defending a lawsuit or protecting a dentist from liability is good recordkeeping by the dentist. Legal concerns aside, good dental records also improve the quality and consistency of patient care.

Informed Consent: What Dentists Need to Know

Obtaining informed consent creates a legal doctrine that protects you as the dentist while also protecting patients’ rights. Here, we answer questions our policyholders ask most frequently about the process.

What Should You Do When Dental Records Are Damaged?

Natural or manmade disasters and building malfunctions can befall a dentist’s office, resulting in the partial or complete destruction of dental records. These catastrophes do not, by themselves, automatically absolve a dentist from the responsibility to maintain patient records.