Q: I was referred to a doctor for dental work. On the Internet, I saw his malpractice insurance carrier settled a case with a patient. Should this be of concern? Larry in West Boca
A: This is one of those columns that I hope finds its way on many refrigerators and in doctor’s waiting rooms. (as apposed to the kitchen floor for puppy training.)
The more years in practice, the more patients a doctor will treat and the more possible complaints, disciplinary actions and law suits he or she will have, especially in this litigious society. (on average; one every 9 years.) I know a dentist who was sued and disciplined due to a patient who complained that she was “not able to perform oral sex on her husband while undergoing several weeks of dental treatment”. The dentist could not fight the case due to losing the patient’s chart as it was inadvertently thrown out with the retiring dentist’s old filing cabinet.
Many celebrity heart surgeons and dentists will have “negative” issues on the un-regulated cesspool of information, called the Web. Advertising violations, like using signage that has letters that are “too big”, can result in disciplinary actions. Don’t let a few bad web pages over a three-decade career of a doctor hold you back.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Mitchell Josephs will be giving a FREE LECTURE on Incision-Free Dental Implant Surgery, Digital Crowns & Veneers and Choosing a Dental Office, at the The Palm Beach Towers, 44 Cocoanut Row in Palm Beach, on Wednesday April 4th at 4:00 pm. Attendees will receive a FREE copy of his book: “Tooth Talk”. Seating is limited. Call 561-832-2917 to register.
Dr. Mitchell Josephs practices Cosmetic, Implant and General Dentistry in Palm Beach and hosts “Tooth Talk” on WBZT AM1230 (www.radiotoothtalk.com) Dr. Josephs is a Faculty Advisory Board member at McGill University’s Faculty of Dentistry and completed his residency at Manhattan’s Beth Israel Medical Center and Mt. Sinai Hospital.
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drjosephs@palmbeachdentist.com
44 Cocoanut Row, Palm Beach, FL 33480
888-DRTOOTH (888-378-6684)
www.palmbeachdentist.com
AAFE Member