"I have been on a journey to find tools that make record keeping easier, more efficient and higher quality.
I have ZERO financial interest in DAN software. I just think it’s bloody brilliant."
A look at how technology can help you keep complete, accurate and contemporaneous records.
In this article, we'll explore the key benefits of audio recording dental consultations, why it's worth considering for your practice and what you need to know to implement audio recording yourself.
If you've ever thought about using audio as part of your
clinical record, then you may enjoy listening to Anne Budenberg's
recent Let's Chat Dental podcast episode where we discuss how
audio records can support patients and the whole dental team.
HIPAA Administrative Simplification
The combined regulation text of the suite of HIPAA Administrative Simplification Regulations (45 CFR Part 160, Part 162, and Part 164).
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (HHS) | March 2013 pdf,
html
Dental Records | American Dental Association (2010)
This ADA publication is designed especially for dentists and the dental team to provide helpful information about
the dental record. This publication is not intended or offered as legal or other professional advice. Laws vary from
state to state and thus, readers should consult with their personal legal counsel and malpractice insurer to access
the applicable laws in their state.
American Dental Association (ADA) | 2010 pdf,
online
Australian Dental Association Guidelines for Dental Records
A record of each occasion of contact with a patient is essential for diagnosis, treatment planning, case management, practice
administration, and transfer of care between clinicians.
Adequate contemporaneous records are essential evidence in the case of a dispute or litigation and obviate the need for
assumptions regarding a dentist’s ‘usual practices’.
Australian Dental Association (ADA) | March 2021 pdf,
online
Relevant Information
A life in the day of a dento-legal advisor (2022)
"BDA dento-legal advisor Lorna Ead gives a glimpse into what's like in the day of a dento-legal advisor."
The article highlights the importance of carefully recording any discussions in the patient's clinical records,
and how excellent records can help manage challenging patients and avoid "vulnerability in the record keeping" when there is a complaint.
It also mentions vicarious liability and a growing trend of 'entrepreneurial' claimant law firms.
Lorna Ead | BDJ In Practice | VOLUME 35 NO. 8 | August 2022 pdf,
html,
Ead, L. A life in the day of a dento-legal advisor. BDJ In Pract 35, 28 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41404-022-1224-y
How the General Dental Council and NHS UDAs crushed the compassion out of dentists (2022)
"Various actions and policies of governmental agencies and the General Dental Council (GDC) have crushed the compassion out of many dental professionals. Compassion is not the same as sympathy or empathy; compassion involves doing something practical to overcome a patient's problems.
...'defensive dentistry' is now practised widely, partly due to a lack of trust in the GDC or the government, or indeed, in the fairness of many of their patients to be reasonable or tolerant of even minor or unpredictable problems."
Martin G. D. Kelleher | BRITISH DENTAL JOURNAL | VOLUME 232 NO. 8 | April 2022 pdf,
html,
Kelleher, M. How the General Dental Council and NHS UDAs crushed the compassion out of dentists. Br Dent J 232, 509–513 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-022-4147-4
The future of dentistry (2021) Denplan’s white paper on the future of dentistry, the culmination of months of in-depth research into issues impacting private dentistry. Denplan | April 2021 pdf,
html
The legal fallacies about ‘if it was not written down it did
not happen’, coupled with a warning for ‘GDC experts’ (2020)
"It is a fallacy that 'if it was not written down it did not happen'.
The expression has become something of a mantra among certain dental
'educationalistas' and has been recited so often by some plaintiffs'
tame 'experts' and by some lawyers that many people now believe that it
is true. As a matter of law, it is not. This article challenges the
correctness of that oft-repeated assertion - because it is not a law of
evidence and neither is it even a law of logic."
Martin G. D. Kelleher | BRITISH DENTAL JOURNAL | VOLUME 229 NO. 4 | August 2020 pdf,
html,
pdf (martinkelleher.co.uk),
Kelleher, M. The legal fallacies about 'if it was not written down it did not happen',
coupled with a warning for 'GDC experts'. Br Dent J 229, 225–229 (2020).
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-020-1995-7L
'Climate of fear' in new graduates: the perfect storm? (2019)
"Today's dental graduates are entering the profession in a difficult environment, where patient complaints,
litigation and referrals to the regulator are commonplace. This has been cited as causing a 'climate of fear'.
However, in order to understand the pressures facing our new graduates, we must first understand how recent
changes in society have affected the way in which this generation has been raised. We should also accept the
role of individuals, and the profession as a whole, in changing the current climate and promoting graduates'
professional development through appropriate risk management, coaching and mentoring."
Kathryn Fox | BRITISH DENTAL JOURNAL | VOLUME 227 NO. 5 | September 2019 pdf,
html,
Fox, K. 'Climate of fear' in new graduates: the perfect storm?.
Br Dent J 227, 343–346 (2019).
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-019-0673-0
Uncertainty and terror: a tale of fitness to practise (2016)
Eddie Scher reveals the story behind the harrowing first-hand experience of his fitness to practise
hearing and asks: how does this protect patients?
Guy Hiscott | DENTISTRY MAGAZINE | February 2016 html,
Stuff we love
#PDP169: Cosmetic Dental ‘Failures’ – When Veneer Patients Change Their Minds (Medico-Legal Series) | Neel Jaiswal, Daniel Cattell
"In this episode Jaz is joined by Dr. Daniel Cattell and Dr. Neel Jaiswal on how to navigate 'perceived cosmetic failures'. While we hope it’s not a common occurrence, we discuss the importance of consent protocols and thorough communication in hopes to avoid such scenarios. And in case things take an unexpected turn, know the right time to reach out to your indemnity company, and how to smooth out the bumps."
Gulati, J., Jaiswal, N., Cattell, D. '#PDP169: Cosmetic Dental ‘Failures’ – When Veneer Patients Change Their Minds (Medico-Legal Series). The Protrusive Dental Podcast (2023).
https://protrusive.co.uk/cosmetic-failures
Help I’m being sued by my patient?! | Amit Patel & Gary Monaghan
"How to prevent medico legal issues in Periodontics and Implants"
Amit, P., Monaghan, G. 'Help I’m being sued by my patient?! How to prevent medico legal issues in Periodontics and Implants'. ADI Webinar (2023).
https://view6.workcast.net/ControlUsher.aspx?cpak=8197105669992365&pak=3765896119447887
#IC038: Recommend Treatment Plans with Confidence | Prav Solanki
"Stop waffling and start communicating effectively. Stop giving 75 different treatment options and RECOMMEND the ideal plan based on their goal (hint: ask more questions!). Become efficient with patient communication by switching to video letters using Loom."
Gulati, J., Solanki, P. '#IC038: Recommend Treatment Plans with Confidence'. The Protrusive Dental Podcast (2023).
https://protrusive.co.uk/confident-plans
#152: You Can’t Handle the Tooth! Gary Monaghan
Payman sits down for a chat with medical and dental indemnity expert Gary Monaghan about the challenges of covering the profession.
He reveals how his indemnity service PDI assesses risk, discusses defensive dentistry and describes what happens when the GDC calls.
Monaghan, G., Langroudi, P. '#152: You Can’t Handle the Tooth!'. Dental Leaders Podcast (2022).
https://www.dentalleaders.co.uk/152-you-cant-handle-the-tooth-gary-monaghan/
#PDP113: Consent Is Like An Onion – Are You Consenting Your Patients Correctly?
"Consent. It’s one of the most important parts of your practice—and it’s somehow turned in to a tick-box/paperwork exercise. Is it truly possible to automate the consent process for an individual?
Dr. Shaun Sellars and Zak Kara break it down for you, so you can get your patient on board with the treatment they need while keeping yourself out of legal trouble."
Gulati, J., Sellars, S., Kara, Z. '#PDP113: Consent Is Like An Onion – Are You Consenting Your Patients Correctly?'. The Protrusive Dental Podcast (2022).
https://protrusive.co.uk/consent
Teeth: Your body's early warning system
When the hardest substance in the human body deteriorates, what is our body trying to tell us? Learn from dentist Marielle Pariseau how a cavity is a warning signal for more serious problems to come. About the speaker: Marielle Pariseau is a dentist, entrepreneur, and founder and CEO of Teeth First.
Pariseau, M. Teeth: Your body's early warning system. TEDxSaltLakeCity (2019).
https://www.ted.com/talks/marielle_pariseau_dmd_teeth_your_body_s_early_warning_system
Looking back at the last 25 years as a dentist and a mentor
Ewa Rozwadowska shares how she got into dentistry, her role as a dental mentor and her most defining moments over the last 25 years of her career.
https://dentistry.co.uk/2022/06/27/looking-back-at-the-last-25-years-as-a-dentist-and-a-mentor/
073: Mastering Communication in Dentistry (2016)
This episode discusses Dr Milisha Chotai's book: Mastering Communication in Dentistry, the importance of nonverbal communication, and confidence and how it affects your relationships with patients.
This is a book we have on our shelf here at DAN.
http://www.thepassionatedentist.com/communication/
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