Top 5 Topics:

- Dentist vs Dentist, AND vs Patient: The Shocking Lawsuit Over Periodontal Disease

- Why ‘If It’s Not Written, It Didn’t Happen’ Could Cost You

- AI, ChatGPT, and the Future of Dentistry—Can Robots Replace Dentists?

- The Hidden Dangers of Using Templates in Dental Notes

- The Untold Risk of Dentist ‘Jousting’—When Colleagues Turn Courtroom Witnesses

(Dental Cases = Even # Episodes; OMFS Cases = Odd # Episodes)

Quotes & Wisdom:

“If it isn’t written, it didn’t happen.” (26:46–29:22)

“Patients can refuse whatever they choose—but they can’t force a dentist to provide care that isn’t appropriate.” (22:56–26:16)

“Templates are a great starting point—not the end point.” (32:25–35:41)

“Provide viable alternatives, not just theoretical ones.” (24:51–26:16)

“Subsequent provider ‘jousting’ drives claims—there’s a way to be honest without being inflammatory.” (40:14–42:19)

“Jurors expect detailed records—today they read them in patient portals.” (38:06–39:36)

“Some treatment isn’t always better than no treatment if it sends a patient down the wrong path.” (23:27–26:16)

“Document referrals and refusals every time—strong defense starts with today’s chart.” (35:57–37:00)

“Check the note before you sign it—copy-paste errors multiply fast.” (38:58–39:36)

Questions:

(22:18) “If a dentist recommends treatment but the patient refuses, where does the legal responsibility begin and end?”

(35:41) “Could this lawsuit have been prevented with a signed informed-refusal form?”

(37:26) “When patients sue after refusing care, do juries usually side with the dentist or the patient—and why?”

(30:15) “How do template notes play in court—are they a help or a liability if not customized?”

(10:19) “Can you walk us through an abbreviated version of the case facts and legal steps?”

(21:56) “Where should a clinician draw the line between patient autonomy and the dentist’s duty of care?”

(25:47) “What does a defensible clinical note look like—what must be in it for a jury to trust it?”

(39:36) “What are the most common documentation pitfalls (copy-paste, templated errors) that sink cases?”

(40:23) “What is ‘jousting’ between dentists, and how can we communicate concerns without fueling litigation?”

Now available on:

- Dr. Gallagher’s Podcast & YouTube Channel

- Dose of Dental Podcast #181

- Malpractice Case #4

My watch in this episode = Citizen Promaster Diver Day Date

- 9.2025

This episode is a partnership with MedPro Group, with Dr. Marc Leffler, Lead Dental Risk Consultant

#podcast #dentalpodcast #doctor #dentist #dentistry #oralsurgery #dental #dentalschool #dentalstudent #dentistlife #oralsurgeon #doctorgallagher #medpro #medprodental