There are two main types of potential lawsuits which threaten dental practices. One concerns professional malpractice, while the other involves what is known as premises liability. The latter includes incidents that occur on the physical property or premises of the dental practice itself, such as the office and parking lot.
Steps to Take If Your Dental Practice Is Sued for Malpractice
A dental malpractice lawsuit can result in substantial monetary damages, a severely jeopardized reputation, and ultimately financial problems for your practice. No matter how careful you and your dental professionals are with a patient, there is always the looming threat of litigation. Many dentists and dental practices find themselves bewildered upon receiving...
Best Practices for Ensuring Compliance in Dental Record-Keeping
Data protection and record-keeping are essential aspects of patient care in dentistry. In addition to providing excellent patient care, your practice must also ensure it complies with regulations for dental record keeping. Federal regulations, including the ADA, OSHA, HIPAA, and...
The Essential Regulatory Agencies Every Dental Practice Should Know
Multiple local and federal agencies regulate dental clinics, and it can be challenging for dental practice owners to comply with their ever-changing regulations. State dental boards, federal agencies, and professional organizations like the ADA establish guidelines for dental practices to protect staff and patients. Understanding these essential regulatory agencies and their...
How Staffing Affects the Valuation of Your Dental Practice
At some point in your career of owning a dental practice, you may need to hire appraisers to determine a fair market value for the practice, such as when you bring in or cash out a partner in the practice, sell the practice to another organization upon your retirement, or obtain financing...
How Patient Retention Affects Dental Practice Valuation
When determining the economic or fair market value of a dental practice, one key factor affecting its valuation is its patient retention figures. Patient retention significantly affects a practice’s income and cash flow and, therefore, its overall value.
Understanding Dental Practice ValuationsA
Trade Secrets in Dentistry: Keeping Your Competitive Edge
Trade secrets in dentistry are techniques and products that improve patient care and reduce discomfort. As the owner of a dental practice, protecting your trade secrets can help you distinguish your practice, attract new patients, and improve patient satisfaction. Working with a dental attorney can help you identify your trade secrets...
Digital Dentistry and Intellectual Property: Protecting Software and Digital Tools
Dental practice owners can use digital dentistry to enhance accuracy in diagnostics and treatment planning, improve patient outcomes, and streamline workflows. If you utilize digital dentistry tools in your dental practice, it is crucial to understand how to protect your intellectual property. Protecting intellectual property will help you safeguard your unique...
Common Patient Privacy Violations in Dental Practices and How to Avoid Them
Running a busy dental practice makes it difficult to keep abreast of patient privacy laws and regulations. By recognizing frequent patient privacy violations in dental practices and knowing how to prevent them, you can safeguard both your patients and your practice. Upholding the confidentiality of sensitive medical information and ensuring patient privacy...
Training Your Staff on Patient Privacy: Best Practices for Dental Offices
Dental practice owners are required to train their staff on patient privacy procedures. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a federal law that protects patients' private health information (PHI).
Training your office staff on HIPAA regulations can minimize the risk of data breaches. Effective training...
