Join
Ireland
Membership information 1800 509 441
Dentolegal advice 01280 8668
Search
Membership information 1800 509 441
Dentolegal advice 01280 8668

Coronavirus advice for members

 
Service status

We are currently experiencing an increased volume of calls and emails and members are having a longer wait than normal.
If your enquiry is not urgent, please email member.help@dentalprotection.org.
If your enquiry is urgent, please call and we will endeavour to answer as quickly as possible.
If your enquiry is regarding our recent subscription relief communication, there is no need for you to contact us and we will be in touch again in the next few weeks.

Please be aware that our offices are closed until further notice, which means that we cannot receive any postal deliveries, Instead, please can you email any membership enquiries or correspondence to member.help@dentalprotection.org and any case or claim related enquiries – quoting your reference – to cases.leeds@medicalprotection.org.

We thank you for your patience.

With the continued spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), we know that this is a worrying time for everyone, but particularly for those healthcare practitioners who are providing frontline services and advice to patients. We understand your concerns and are here to offer support and advice if you need it. We also answer some frequently asked questions here.

We would urge all healthcare practitioners in Ireland to be aware of and follow Health Service Executive (HSE) advice, particularly those healthcare providers who may have responsibility for assessing possible cases of COVID-19. Developments in the coronavirus situation are changing daily, and members are advised to make sure they stay informed of the latest governmental advice.

We appreciate that practitioners may have to change how they consult with their patients during the coronavirus crisis – including holding more remote consultations. Please be reassured that should you need to do a remote consultation with a patient whom you would ordinarily see face-to-face, your membership with Dental Protection will enable you to request assistance for matters that could arise from such consultations during this time. We have more information regarding remote consultations (teledentistry) here.

Benefits of membership

Dental Protection can provide a wide range of benefits throughout your career.
Choose your professional status below.

Have you heard about RiskCredits?

Reduced risk means reduced subscriptions

Find out how much you could save!

Why choose Dental Protection?

We have more than 68,000 dental members in Ireland and internationally

“98% of our attendees would strongly recommend our interactive workshops

98%

Mastering Workshops

ENHANCE YOUR INSIGHT
MAINTAIN YOUR EXPERTISE

tick_v-small Dentist to dentist expertise

tick_v-small Free local half-day workshops

tick_v-small Earn CPD & RiskCredits

Find out more

Our publications

Did you receive your copy of Riskwise Ireland?
More publications

Breaking the burnout cycle

Through the “Breaking the burnout cycle: keeping dentists and patients safe” campaign Dental Protection is making a range of policy recommendations that, if taken seriously, would help to improve the mental health and wellbeing of dentists and mitigate the risks of burnout in the profession.
Read More

Common queries

  • Q
    I will be taking a career break/going on maternity leave/retiring soon. How does this affect my membership?
    +
    26 March 2020
    Members who retire, take a career break or who otherwise stop practising medicine voluntarily - either temporarily or permanently (excluding holidays), can request to retain their Medical Protection membership in the retired/deferred category.

    As a retired or deferred member with occurrence-based protection, you pay no subscription and can still apply for assistance with any medicolegal problems arising from a “Good Samaritan act”.

    However, if you decide to leave Medical Protection membership, then you will not be entitled to any assistance in relation to a Good Samaritan act if the incident occurs after your membership has ended. You must also inform us before you resume practice, so that we can ensure you are placed in the correct category of membership.

    Members with claims-made protection should contact us to find out how a break will affect their membership.
  • Q
    Does calling for advice affect my annual membership subscription?
    +
    13 November 2019

    We actively encourage members to contact us for advice to provide peace of mind and to help prevent a concern or problem escalating.

    MPS does not use the number of requests for advice as part of its risk assessment of a member. This includes determining their membership subscription.

    In exceptional cases, where a request for advice involves facts or circumstances of a highly unusual or unique nature it might trigger a general review of an individual’s risk profile. However, we stress that this would be very unusual.

    So, if you want to discuss a dento-legal issue or need advice on how to prevent a concern or problem escalating, please do let us know - we are only a phone call away.

  • Q
    A colleague has died – am I indemnified to treat their patients?
    +
    20 May 2019
    As is the case with any new patient you take on, so long as you are in the correct grade of membership to reflect the scope of your practice (eg if you are a general practitioner treating patients with implants, or continuing orthodontic treatment, then you are in the appropriate SP grade), you can request help or assistance from Dental Protection if needed. 

    When you take over the care of a patient, you are not taking over liability for past treatment, however you are responsible for all treatment going forward. If the patient was mid-way through a course of treatment with a previous dentist - for example, fitting crowns or dentures that had already been constructed - then you would need to be sure that the preparations on the teeth or dentures was of an appropriate standard before you continued with the treatment. If you have any concerns with the existing preparation, then you should amend or remake as needed. If you proceed with the existing treatment, you are accepting that it is of an appropriate standard.  Similarly, if you do not agree with the pre-existing treatment plan, you will need to amend it and proceed as you see fit, as it will be your responsibility from that point forward. 
     
More FAQs