Mr R attended a practice as a new patient. He reported no symptoms, although during the examination the dentist noted the large composite restoration at 36, which had a small fracture to one side.

A patient complains about a dentist’s technique and an alleged failure to prescribe antibiotics. In this video, find out how Dental Protection helped resolve the complaint.

What happens when experts disagree? Clinical opinion can and will differ from dentist to dentist, and as this case shows, sometimes the best option is to bring the experts together...

Nobody gets up in the morning intending on harming someone, I know that, and I am no different.

Making clinical judgements that go against the grain is never a good idea. If in doubt, Dental Protection is only ever a phone call away...

When a patient comes to the point of making a complaint, without adequate records to prove your professionalism you could find yourself lacking a solid defence. This case study illustrates how such a situation might arise...

With everything else going on, it can be easy to miss signs of a patient’s dissatisfaction, but you can save yourself a lot of trouble later on by tuning your senses to even the mildest shifts in personality…

As this case illustrates, a lot of trouble can be saved later on by seeking specialist advice early...

If you don’t feel confident about providing a certain treatment, the advice is simple – don’t do it. Early referral is the best option in cases beyond your level of expertise...

Mistakes can be made when writing referral letters, double checking the details can only help avoid anything like this happening...

As this case demonstrates, seemingly grateful patients can have gripes...

A combination of factors leads to success or failure in any complicated case. Taking care at the planning stage will help to swing the odds in your favour...

If you can’t genuinely claim competence in a procedure, you shouldn’t carry it out. Referring to someone who can is the best option…

When three opinions clash in the settlement of a difference in clinical opinion, something is clearly amiss...

Failure to listen properly to the patient can result in unnecessary treatment or worse, as this case illustrates…

As this case illustrates, referring a patient doesn’t end your supervision of their progress...

If you’re noticing a trend forming that might suggest you’re not as good at something as you thought, perhaps it’s time to re-evaluate your competence and seek a solution...

Although patients have fears and concerns, without following your duty of care you could be leaving yourself open to claims of negligence, as this case illustrates...

If a patient complains of a painful swelling, failing to investigate its cause could lead to a devastating result, as this case demonstrates...

Although the following case is unusual, it highlights the need to be sure the patient you’re treating matches the name on the record card...

Contracts between dentists and funding agencies are absolute – making sure you can honour your side of the bargain is essential...

As this case shows, it’s prudent when embarking on an extensive course of treatment to ensure the patient will still be around to see it through...

As a practice owner, one has to be meticulous in documenting decisions, especially where dismissals could lead to claims of unfairness...