There are many moments in clinical dentistry when the most crucial aspect of case management is not what you do, but what arrangements you make to monitor the effectiveness of what you do.

Unlike many other areas of healthcare, dentists generally get to examine fit ambulant patients at varying intervals, and at times when they may have no symptoms or any particular reason for attending, other than for a periodic review of their oral health.

A clinician’s specialised knowledge of the aetiology of various oral and dental conditions places him, or her, in a position of significant advantage relative to most patients.

Before 2013, all members of the dental team had to work on the prescription of a dentist – then the GDC issued guidance that allowed Direct Access for some dental care professionals. Former dental nurses Amanda Waite and Evelyn Ferguson-Williams, Case Managers at Dental Protection, look at why dental care professionals still need to practise within their competence

George Wright, Dentolegal Consultant and Senior Dental Educator at Dental Protection, offers a comprehensive overview of effective complaint handling

Nipping complaints in the bud is always the best approach, where possible – Dental Protection’s Dr Simrit Ryatt, Dentolegal Consultant, looks at how we can help manage complaints on your behalf.

Dr Simrit Ryatt, Dentolegal Consultant at Dental Protection, looks at why certain approaches to avoiding risk can become self-fulfilling prophecies.

Cosmetic dentistry is an increasingly popular undertaking for many dental practitioners but is laced with dentolegal risks. Dr Martin Foster, Dentolegal Consultant at Dental Protection, talks through the principal learning points.

We recently published the article “Reflecting on a complaint” by Zoe Levenson, which was the winning entry in our competition run in partnership with Dental Training Consultants. Here we present the two excellent runners-up in the competition, by Jenna Shah and Priyanka Adatia.

With help from his grandchildren, Dental Protection celebrates the life of Edward Tull-Warnock, one of the first black professionally registered dentists in the UK, as part of #BlackHistoryMonth.

We carefully consider each request for assistance, but there are some circumstances in which we are unlikely to help. The following, whilst not an exhaustive list, are some examples of where we are unlikely to provide assistance.

Yvonne Shaw, underwriting policy lead at Dental Protection, explains how we are offering practice principals peace of mind when it comes to protection against vicarious liability.

Dr Yvonne Shaw, Dental Underwriting Policy Lead at Dental Protection, considers some of the risks arising from patients pursuing direct-to-consumer dental care

Helen Kaney, Dentolegal Consultant and Medico and Dentolegal Services Team Lead at Dental Protection, looks at the key differences between indemnity and insurance

George Wright, Senior Dental Educator and Dentolegal Consultant at Dental Protection, looks back at a turbulent year for everyone – and how dentistry responded

Emma Carr, Case Manager at Dental Protection, and Lesley Harrison, Dentolegal Consultant at Dental Protection, look at some recent queries from practice owners over what to do when members of their staff refuse the COVID-19 vaccination

Don’t forget to pay your ARF, submit your CPD hours, and indemnity confirmation to the GDC!