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Issue 25
Summer 2023
Loose ends in policy changes do dental professionals no favours in understanding their responsibilities, says DDU head John Makin.
With more than eight in ten dental professionals saying that workplace pressures have increased in recent years, we look at some of the techniques...
The question of whether to reimburse an unhappy patient for treatment you've already provided can be a difficult one - and the answer isn't always...
The DDU's Leo Briggs explains the importance of being aware of and challenging our implicit biases, and why every dental professional could benefit...
The DDU successfully defended a member whose account of an adverse incident differed from that offered by the patient in the subsequent claim.
Feature
Understanding the risks surrounding endodontic treatment - and how to manage them - can help minimise the potential for complications encountered by both patients and dental professionals.
Dr Keith Smith discusses some of the causes of negligence claims relating to wisdom tooth extraction.
In focus
Hygienists and therapists have a vital role in providing comprehensive patient care, so it's also vital to ensure appropriate levels of training, indemnity and competence.
Leader
With so much of dental practice resting on making the right choices, it helps to keep your decision-making destination in your sights, says DDU head John Makin.
Interview
One DDU member talks us through the shock and stress of receiving their first complaint, as well as how we were able to support them through it.
They are the basis for effective patient care and have an important dento-legal purpose - but what makes good dental records, and what else do dental professionals need to consider?
The dental health of people with dementia can become secondary to other considerations. But the dental team can make a vital contribution to patients' quality of life, as Christine Osborne explains.
Pausing to reflect when something goes wrong can lessen the risk of history repeating itself. We explain how to respond to an adverse incident, ensuring patients are supported and lessons are learned.
Examining the new guidance on training in dental conscious sedation.
Most of us are familiar with instant or direct messaging through apps or social media - but is it an appropriate way to communicate with patients?
News
Dento-legal advisers John Makin and Leo Briggs will take over the helm of the DDU in January 2016.