This is NOT the course needed for Excess insurance eligibility.  To be enrolled in the course you need, please contact the MLMIC Risk Management Department at 212-576-9730 or click "Contact us" above to send a message.

This course was developed by dentists, attorneys and risk managers with extensive experience in the fields of dental malpractice and patient safety, in accordance with New York State laws and regulations. New York State dentists who complete this course will be entitled to a ten percent (10%) discount on their liability premiums for a three-year period from MLMIC Insurance Company. If a Risk Management Program has not been completed within the past three years, it is necessary to take this course to continue to receive a discount. At the end of the course, a certificate of completion is available to submit to a malpractice carrier. Registrants who complete the course will be entitled to four CE credits. The course will not only cover the core components of risk management, such as documentation, informed consent and privacy, but will also address trending topics such as social media in dentistry and common allegations seen in dental malpractice claims, and will present analytics regarding the state of the dental malpractice. 

Upon completion of this program, participants will be able to:

• Identify the common allegations and claims that are seen in dental malpractice.
• Understand how New York’s statutes of limitations and tolls impact the potential for a malpractice claim.
• Identify the various steps of the legal process and the dentist’s role in each step.
• Review top traits of claims-free dentists.
• Recognize the importance of a patient record in the defense of a malpractice case.
• Analyze the positive and negative aspects of social media in dentistry.
• Describe the appropriate use of social media in marketing.
• Formulate approaches to address negative patient reviews posted online.
• Identify the liability risks that can arise in routine patient care.
• Understand the role of effective informed consent in reducing the incidence of malpractice claims.
• Implement strategies to reduce the risk of patient injury and the potential for malpractice claims.

Module 1 - Anatomy of a Dental Malpractice Lawsuit

Dental malpractice litigation is a lengthy and stressful process which will impact nearly every dentist at some point in their career.  Over the course of the case, the production of records and policies and preparation meetings with defense counsel can also lead to significant disruptions to the practice’s operations.

Implementing sound risk management strategies in advance of any malpractice claim, coupled with working as a team with both defense counsel and your carrier will serve to strengthen your defense should you become a defendant in a dental malpractice lawsuit.

Module 2 - An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure: Common Claims in Dentistry and Tips to Avoid Them

In this module, an attorney and a senior risk management consultant discuss the analytics regarding the state of dental malpractice. They identify the common allegations and claims that are seen in dental malpractice and discuss risk management strategies to mitigate future dental malpractice claims.

Module 3 - Managing Your Social Media Presence in Dentistry

Social media allows healthcare providers and facilities to market their services and share important information with current and prospective patients. It provides new opportunities for building and maintaining dentist-patient relationships. There are however concerns associated with its use, including advertising risks, breaches of patient confidentiality, inappropriate use and distraction in the workplace, and negative online posts and reviews by patients. 

An attorney and a risk management consultant will review the unique benefits and appropriate use of social media in dentistry, address some associated liability issues and offer strategies to minimize these risks.

Modules 4 - Dental Malpractice Claims: A Case Study Analysis

In this module, a defense attorney, a dentist, and MLMIC claims professionals will discuss four dental malpractice liability claims. Key factors that contribute to these different claims are reviewed and the legal issues are addressed. Risk management strategies to reduce the risk of patient injury and the potential for malpractice claims are provided.