Medical Malpractice Insurance News

Dentists have to make many big decisions about their first years in practice, from what type of employment model would they prefer to how many vacation days they get. Many of these considerations need to be negotiated for the employment contract. We outlined a few of the most important things dentists should consider about their career.

As a new dentist starting out in practice, one of the key decisions you will make is selecting a dental professional liability carrier. Importantly, you want a professional liability carrier that offers more than just protection against claims. You want a carrier that offers stability and financial security, and one that provides the service and resources that will support you and your practice throughout your career.

Medication stewardship programs are important efforts by all frontline healthcare workers and are becoming more common in dental practices, as well. In dental practices, dentists should exercise particular caution when prescribing antibiotics and opioids.

Whether you are a new dentist or an established practitioner, choosing a professional liability carrier is a crucial decision for your practice. But what makes one carrier stand apart from another? These are the qualities you should pay attention to.

Since dental practices reopened in June, a concern has arisen about liability claims related to COVID-19 exposure. While this concern is certainly legitimate, an overlooked, likely greater concern is the potential for claims related to delays in diagnosis and treatment that could stem from the closure of dental practices during the peak of the pandemic in New York State.

A recent American Dental Association (ADA) teledentistry policy update addresses the virtual service at a crucial moment during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ADA asserts that care via teledentistry can be an effective way of expanding dental reach and should be consistent with in-person care.

Oral cancer is aggressive, and dentists must be constantly vigilant in their assessments during regular check-ups. Although most dentists won’t see many cases during their careers, there’s a higher likelihood of finding suspected lesions now while patients return to the dentist after a missed or delayed appointment due to COVID-19.

At noon on June 26, HANYS and MLMIC are hosting a one-hour webinar examining million-dollar claims in New York. Please join MLMIC Risk Management and Claims representatives as we present our review of these cases and provide strategies to reduce the risks of such high-exposure professional liability claims to your organization.

At MLMIC’s Spring Network Meetings in nearly a dozen locations across New York during May and June, we’ll review a summary of million-dollar claims and offer strategies to reduce the risks to your organization.

The New York State Society of Dermatology and Dermatological Surgery is now an official MLMIC partner.