RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Dental practitioners, like other health-care professionals, might engage with legal claims and be sued if patients are not satisfied with the dental treatment. The aim of this study was to provide data on dental malpractice claims in Kerman, Iran, from 2000 to 2011. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present descriptive cross-sectional research, a retrospective evaluation was carried out of dental malpractice claims in Kerman, Iran, during 2000-2011, based on the decisions of expert committees in medical malpractice cases by the Kerman Legal Medicine Organization and the Medical Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran. A valid and reliable questionnaire was designed in three sections, based on previous studies. The SPSS 18 software program was used for data analysis. RESULTS: During the 11-year period, 64 decisions had been taken in relation to dental malpractices. The majority of complaints involved fixed prosthodontics and oral surgery usually by private practice and general dental practitioners. In 56.7% of clinical cases and 40% of non-clinical cases of malpractice claims, dental practitioners had been found guilty. CONCLUSIONS: Like all other medical staff, dental practitioners are under the obligation to comply with the laws of the country they practice. They also have to adhere to ethical principles as well as the acceptable standards and protocols of diagnosis and treatment. These data can alert them to the need for greater care and professionalism when treating their patients.