In today's world it is easy to develop a fear of complaints or litigation. No professional likes reading a complaint about themselves or receiving criticism from a patient whether it is valid or not.

When the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000 came into force in December 2001 it changed the way in which all members of the dental team looked at their clinical records.

A patient’s informed consent to investigations or treatment is a fundamental aspect of the proper provision of dental care. Without informed consent to treatment, a dentist is vulnerable to criticism on a number of counts, not least those of assault and/or negligence - which in turn could lead respectively to criminal charges and/or civil claims against the dentist. This booklet explores the various aspects of consent that all dentists need to be familiar with.

Few dentists would welcome being approached by a reporter with questions about a patient’s care – especially when they are least expecting it. If you find yourself in this situation, it is important that you know what to do.

This guide provides advice on the most effective way to respond to a journalist, from initial contact to issuing a statement, so that you can focus on your patients and your practice.

We are practising in a society which is becoming more consumer-orientated and litigious than ever before. Our patients are more aware of their rights, and more prepared to speak up for them. On occasions members of our profession will encounter patients who are unexpectedly demanding, critical and unforgiving.

 

All good relationships must come to an end, sooner or later. So also must all less-than-ideal relationships and in both cases, parting company carries potential risks. Sometimes the end of a professional relationship is a moment of sadness, while on other occasions it can be tinged with a sense of relief.

There are many situations in a professional career where we might move into a new and sometimes unfamiliar environment. In any walk of life people move home, change jobs, and sometimes have a huge amount of change all at once when they perhaps relocate to another part of the country – or even, to a different country altogether.

For most of us, dentistry is a rewarding and challenging profession. In addition, its rewards and challenges contribute to a mix that suits our intellect, our ambitions and our inherent need to contribute to society.

Looking for a new dental practice can be both exciting and liberating. A new job marks a significant moment in a dental career for most of us and we will want to be certain that we make the right choice.