Case Study: Unethical Treatment Leads to Lawsuit and Dental Board Action

By Kim Hathaway, MSN, CPHRM, CPHQ, Patient Safety Risk Manager, Department of Patient Safety and Risk Management, The Doctors Company   A celebrity dentist performed excessive treatment and committed ethical violations. A 46-year-old male was evaluated by a general dentist,…

Why Soliciting New Patients by Phone is Different Than Advertising by Mail

By Graham Nicol, Esq., Health Care Risk Manager, Florida Bar Board Certified Specialist (Health Law) Q: In Florida, a dentist cannot lawfully solicit members of the public to become patients either in-person or by telephone. Does that mean dentists can…

Licenses, Licenses and More Licenses

By Graham Nicol, Esq., Health Care Risk Manager, Board Certified Specialist (Health Law) ​ I have a valid dental license in the state of Florida — that’s all I need to practice here, right? Wrong. As just one example: you’ll…

5 Things Every Florida Dentist Should Know About Records

By Graham Nicol, Esq., Health Care Risk Manager, Board Certified Specialist (Health Law) 1. Records are evidence (exculpatory or damaging). 2. They must be kept a minimum of four years post-treatment, but preferably at least seven years (statute of repose…