3 THINGS You Must Do to help AVOID A LAWSUIT!
Did you know that failure to diagnose and treat periodontal disease is a major source of dental malpractice? It's important that you and your team are taking the necessary steps to help avoid a lawsuit. Here are 3 things you must implement in your practice right now to keep you out of the courtroom!
- Record a complete full-mouth six-point periodontal charting once a year on all patients. If your hygienists are only using the Periodontal Screening and Recording method (PSR) as a screening method for your patients, then know that this does not take the place of a full-mouth recording. This would not hold up in a court of law.
- Take appropriate and timely radiographs. This should be part of your standard of care and do not let insurance dictate how often you recommend a panorex or a full-mouth series. If a patient refuses radiographs, then have them sign a release form. This doesn’t necessarily hold up in court, but it will document that the patient was informed.
- Document everything in the patient’s chart. This is called defensive charting and includes all relevant information as to what you did and why you did it. Include a notification of the patient’s periodontal status with an informed consent. If the patient refuses perio treatment, then have them sign an informed refusal form at each visit.
Detailed records could discourage an attorney from filing a case against you!