Dental Therapists, Dental Hygienist and Oral Health Therapists continue to receive the highest proportion of complaints related to scope of practice which is likely a reflection of how these roles have evolved over time, often leading to confusion, misunderstanding or lack of awareness.

In this episode of RiskBites, Dr Annalene Weston speaks with Mrs Kristin Trafford-Wiezel, a case manager at Dental Protection and OHT, about the changes that have shaped these roles, what they mean for the profession today, and how the guidelines and principles of scope and independent practice apply across all divisions of dentistry.Kristin also shares a case featured in our 2024 Sliding Doors webinar: Who’s Driving the Bus?

CaseMatters is a podcast series designed to create a shared experience where all points of view are explored. 

In this episode we find out what can happen when a patient who has very strong views about their treatment needs attends a multi-practitioner practice and selectively takes on advice that supports and aligns with his beliefs, choosing to ignore the advice that doesn’t.

In this episode of RiskMatters, Dr Annalene Weston from Dental Protection speaks with Dr Trudy Lin. 
 
Trudy’s accolades are many and in this podcast, she shares her personal journey into general practice and later special needs dentistry, as well as providing some guiding principles for the inclusion of specials needs care, in general practice. 
 
In addition to her impressive dental career, Trudy is also a mindset coach so listen in as Annalene and Trudy discuss her ‘other passion’, which is engaging, insightful and relevant to us all, as practitioners and people.  

3.27 - Special needs dentistry
4.48 - Risk management strategies when looking after patients who have specialist needs
7.15 - The relevance of renal conditions
8.54 - Role of GDPs in the management of patients with special needs
10.48 - Reaching out to special need specialists
12.48 - Specialists special training pathways
15.50 - Why Trudy became a specialist
16.50 - Impact of self limiting beliefs
20.30 - Mindset and leadership coaching
21.44 - What is a belief?
23.44 - How Trudy become a mindset coach
27.25 - Safe Failure
32.33 - Who benefits from having a mindset coach?
38.00 - (Self) perception
39.50 - Support and Ahpra's view
44.40 - Techniques - reframing
51.00 - Techniques - awesome and brain dumps
54.45 - Techniques - Self-care and wellness
56.15 - Loading
101.05 - How burnout fits in and saying no

https://extramiledental.com.au/about/

At Dental Protection we often talk about ‘stranger danger’ and the issues that can arise when treating strangers or new patients. However, it goes without saying that treating new patients is an unavoidable occurrence in our daily practice.

In this episode of RiskBites titled Dental Histories, Dr Annalene Weston and Dr Simon Parsons outline a multi-step approach for treating ‘new’ patients that can be easily applied to your practice and will enable you to successfully manage their care from the first encounter.

In this edition, Dr Annalene Weston, Senior Dentolegal Consultant based in the Brisbane Office takes with A/Prof Jo Yarker and Marleen Reinke about their recently completed research into practitioner wellness. This research was funded by the MPS Foundation.

The MPS Foundation is a global, not-for-profit, research initiative, dedicated to improving patient safety, reducing risk, and enhancing the wellbeing of all healthcare professionals. The Foundation supports research relevant to public and private healthcare in both primary and secondary care settings, outpatient practices, and dental care and is committed to investing in research, analysis, education, and training.

Thriving in private practice

Preventative wellbeing intervention for dentists | Affinity Health at Work

The MPS Foundation

In this episode of Riskbites, Senior Dentolegal advisor Dr Annalene Weston and Dr Colm Harney from Dental Protection discuss an area of practice that is under particular scrutiny at the moment by the regulator which is ‘cosmetic dentistry’. 

Although the existing guidelines about this area of practice are still under consultation, there has been a declared focus on “reforming the regulation of registered health practitioners who work in the non-surgical cosmetic procedures sector in Australia to improve practice and standards, improve public safety, and provide opportunities for more informed consumer choice.”

Listen in to Annalene and Colm to find out more.

When an adverse outcome occurs or treatment does not go to plan, our patients are often recognised as the only victim in these situations.  But are they? 

In this episode of RiskBites, Senior Dentolegal consultant Dr Annalene Weston explores the concept of the second victim, and its correlation with the Buddhists parable of the second arrow.

Annalene goes on to explain how this teaching essentially encompasses everything that a dentolegal consultant strives to impart when assisting members with a complaint or adverse outcome.

Uber, Audits and dentistry and interesting concept. 

In this episode of RiskBites Senior Dentolegal consultant Dr Annalene Weston quizzes Dr Colm Harney about the title of this podcast and asks the obvious question ‘what does a ride-hailing service have in common with third party payment audits in dentistry.’

Colm shares his thoughts and goes on to identify common reference points utilised by private Health Funds and Medicare to determine:

1. whether a claim is acceptable and
2. why an audit may occur in the first instance.   

Later providing helpful advice on how you can ensure your compliance in this space, leaving you free to focus on your patient and your practice.

In recognition of International Women’s Day, Senior dentolegal consultant Dr Annalene Weston interviews our CEO of Medical Protection Society, Karen Miller. 

Karen has been and continues to be an inspirational leader to many women and men and in this episode of RiskMatters, Karen shares the highs, lows and lessons learnt in her illustrious career as well as what International Women’s Day means to her.

It’s often incredibly challenging to know if you’re making the right decision when changing jobs or even starting in a new position for the very first time. Is this going to be the right choice for me? Am I doing the right thing if I have some doubts about the new role?

In this episode of RiskBites Dr Annalene Weston and Dr Simon Parsons, dentolegal consultants at Dental protection explore some of the issues faced by practitioners contemplating a new role or perhaps start their own practice.