Bartering Your Dental Services? Get It in Writing For dentists, bartering can lay the groundwork for a liability claim if things don't go as planned. Should you decide to barter treatment, the details must be clear and documented on paper so each party upholds their end of the agreement. December 31, 2018 RM Matters Patient Care and Communication Risk Management Essentials
Before Recording, Protect Private Patient Information Surveillance cameras are becoming more common in dental offices. Be aware of the HIPAA and privacy regulations surrounding their use, as well as basic recording guidelines for practice owners. November 01, 2019 RM Matters Patient Care and Communication Risk Management Essentials
Brushing Aside Politics: Keep Your Dental Office Free of Political Discussions Impassioned political debates can create an uncomfortable environment for both staff and patients. Practice owners should develop a professional code of conduct prohibiting such discussions. February 29, 2024 RM Matters Employment and Managing a Team Patient Care and Communication Risk Management Essentials
Depression Screening: Not a Legal Obligation, but an Ethical One What should concerned practice owners do when patients or employees exhibit signs of depression, suicidal thoughts or self-harm? While mental health is outside of a dental professional’s clinical scope, there is an ethical obligation to... May 01, 2019 RM Matters Health Safety & Wellness Patient Care and Communication Risk Management Essentials
Ensuring Ethical Dental Care: Obtaining Legal Consent for Nonverbal Adults Obtaining proper, legal consent for nonverbal adults is of paramount importance in the dental practice. By becoming familiar with local laws, employing effective communication strategies, involving caregivers and advocate, and maintaining... August 08, 2023 RM Matters Patient Care and Communication Risk Management Essentials
Facing reality: Communicating and managing achievable aesthetic outcomes While many patients are pleased with their treatment outcomes, occasionally there are patients who claim that reconstructive work did not meet their expectations. Through thoughtful communication, dentists have opportunities to mitigate patient... November 08, 2022 RM Matters Patient Care and Communication Risk Management Essentials
Handle With Care: Minimizing Risk With Short-Term and Traveling Patients Treating “snowbirds,“ college students or patients who present only on an emergency basis can be challenging. As the “secondary“ general dentist, you have more liability exposure than the dentist who is performing their... January 01, 2022 RM Matters Patient Care and Communication Risk Management Essentials
Handling Conflicts With Confidence: Tools To Reduce Tension and Risk Avoiding conflicts with patients or employees only allows them to grow and expose the dental practice to liability risks. With clarity, patience, empathy and objectivity, dentists can better navigate disagreements and de-escalate potential crises. April 01, 2021 RM Matters Employment and Managing a Team Patient Care and Communication Risk Management Essentials
Hostility in the Dental Practice May Escalate if Left Unchecked Dental professionals deserve a working environment that is free from hostility, and practice leaders can foster a culture of respect and clear communication. Learn how to address confrontational patients or employees to keep negative experiences... May 31, 2024 RM Matters Employment and Managing a Team Patient Care and Communication Risk Management Essentials
Improving Patient Safety with a Timeout Policy Patient safety remains a top priority for practice owners and dental teams; however, the dental office can often be a fast-paced working environment with various distractions that can impede best safety practices. Dental teams should be reminded... July 01, 2021 RM Matters Patient Care and Communication Risk Management Essentials