Practice management

In recent years, dental practice has become increasingly challenging. Patient expectations have never been higher, both in terms of clinical outcomes and service levels.

Balancing commercial, personal and ethical demands in dentistry can be a challenge.

The era of paternalism in healthcare has long since passed and modern clinical practice is based on patients being presented with options and exercising choice.

Treatment co-ordinators can be an asset to a dental practice, as long as their role is clearly defined and explained to patients.

Dental Protection’s recent ‘Learning from Cases’ report highlights the key areas that generated claims for compensation between January 2018 and December 2020.

Direct-to-consumer orthodontic care carries a number of risks for patients, and this is creating increasing professional concern among dentists.

The second of two articles on ‘ethics and aesthetics’ looks at some of the key considerations that can help to reduce dento-legal risk when providing cosmetic dentistry, particularly in relation to patient expectations.

When embarking on any programme of elective treatment, particularly cosmetic dentistry, communication and management of the patient’s expectations are vital.

As the Covid-19 pandemic continues, the dentist-patient relationship depends on effective communication and compassion more than ever before.