The incidence and nature of complaints against dentists for the treatment of children in Israel from 1992-2011.

OBJECTIVES: Medical literature lacks information about complaints against dentists who treat children. The present study aimed to evaluate the reports filed to Medical Consultant International (MCI) regarding paediatric dentistry in 1992-2011. BASIC RESEARCH DESIGN: Most dentists in Israel (85%) are obliged by their professional liability insurance policy to report adverse events to MCI. Reports were analysed using a structured form that included demographic details of the treating dentist, patients and parents, type of treatment, the result and the dentist's attitude. MCI dental consultants' decisions were evaluated by two specialists in paediatric dentistry. RESULTS: The number of complaints per year is increasing. Complaints involved maltreatment (33%), case mismanagement (25%) and complications that required additional treatment (26%). Communication was problematic in 60% of cases. Only 16.7% of complaints developed into an actual lawsuit. Most complaints were against female general practitioners and against dentists who worked in community dental clinics located in peripheral areas. Treating permanent teeth increased to 3.6 times the probability of developing into a lawsuit. 59% of event records had missing data. Seventy-five percent of the cases rose from elective treatments while 25% concerned emergency treatments. One third of the cases required additional treatment in a hospital i.e. abscess drainage, foreign body swallowing or other physical damages. CONCLUSIONS: Better case selection and documentation, better training of dentists who treat children and more appropriate attitude toward patients and parents, are likely to reduce the number of complaints.

Will your clinic be in compliance with the safe patient handling law by July 1, 2010?

Clinical settings have been added to the Minnesota Safe Patient Handling law. Even though previously dentists may not have considered manual assisting of patients to be a safety hazard, studies have clearly shown the risk for injury to staff and patients. By being the first state to address patient handling in clinics, Minnesota is acknowledging that patient movement can occur in all clinical settings and is demonstrating its desire to ensure staff safety at those previously overlooked facilities. SPH and the SPH law requirements may seem a bit foreign and confusing at first, but hopefully, by reading this article dentists and their staffs have gained the understanding and knowledge they will need to make sure each individual clinic meets the compliance deadline.

Sob as barbas da lei / Under the beards of law

Clínicas fazem panfletagem e desrespeitam normas de biossegurança em SP. CRO-SP não tem embasamento legal para fechar estabelecimentos abusados e Vigilância Sanitária não tem pessoal suficiente para fazer vistorias periódicas, só atende denúncias. Veja também nesta matéria, o Roteiro básico de funcionamento de consultório utilizado pela Vigilância