Receiving a solicitors letter can be a terrifying experience for any practitioner, particularly when you read it, and are unsure what it means for you and your registration Join Senior Dentolegal Consultant Dr Annalene Weston and Dr Mike Rutherford from Dental Protection as they discuss the different types of letters that can be received, and what to do when they are.

In this episode of RiskBites, Senior dentolegal consultant Dr Annalene Weston and Dr Ralph Neller focus on how practitioners can best capture their discussions about risk and warnings in their clinical records. Annalene and Ralphs discussion highlights the challenges faced by practitioners when their records fail to evidence these discussions and provide helpful advice of how to document both general and particular risks specific to each procedure and patient

The internet and virtual communication have brought significant gains to our profession and although this might only seem positive, in reality, there is a downside. The fallout from these advances can result in unexpected and unintended consequences for practitioners and patients alike.
 
Join Senior Dentolegal Consultant Dr Annalene Weston and Dr Colm Harney from Dental Protection as they discuss the phenomenon of ‘online disinhibition effect’ and the role it plays in online communication. They identify the positive and the negative effects of this behaviour as well as areas where practitioners can easily find themselves amiss or in precarious situations. Helping you to recognise these behaviours in yourself and in your patients and respond accordingly.

At Dental Protection, we are seeing an increase in the number of calls from members who are dealing with upset, angry or aggressive patients.

In this episode of RiskBites, Senior Dentolegal consultant Dr Annalene Weston and Dentolegal consultant Dr Kiran Keshwara provide helpful advice on how to recognise an upset or angry patient and provide tips and strategies on how to manage these challenging situations, achieving this best outcome possible for you and your patient.

Some aspects of communication with patients are not just necessary, they are vital to ensuring the success of your business and or your individual reputation. 

In this episode of RiskBites, Dental Protections Senior dentolegal consultant Dr Annalene Weston and our inhouse lawyer Helen Harbourne, discuss the importance of establishing clear professional and personal boundaries with patients from the outset. Identifying the types of patients who might seek to challenge these boundaries, and how best to manage these patients and their care.

Saying no to patients or refusing treatment can be difficult for any well-meaning and caring practitioners. 

In this episode of RiskBites, Senior Dentolegal consultant Dr Annalene Weston and Dr Kiran Keshwara from Dental Protection focus on the critical subject of how we say no to patients, asking and answering that all-important question ‘Can we do it,  should we do and if we should, how are we going to do it'

Members often suggest content for our podcasts, usually in areas of interest or where they perceive there is a need for more information.  Body dysmorphic disorder is one such area, which most would agree is both poorly understood in the dental profession and the broader community. 

In this edition of RiskBites Senior Dentolegal consultant Dr Annalene Weston and Dr Mike Rutherford focus on the role of body dysmorphic disorder and how it impacts on our ability to achieve patient satisfaction.

Aesthetic dentistry is an exciting area of dentistry, one that has accelerating in growth and popularity among patients and practitioners alike. While it can be very rewarding, it doesn’t come without its own specific set of risks and complications. Risks that are often far reaching and more challenging than routine dentistry.

In this episode of RiskBites, Senior Dentolegal consultant Dr Annalene Weston and Dr Kiran Keshwara from Dental Protection discuss the potential pitfall of aesthetic dentistry and provide helpful tips and advice on how to avoid such issues arising in the first place.

“Why me?” Dr Mike Rutherford and Dr Annalene Weston discuss why you may have received an audit letter.

Further Resources
https://www.dentalprotection.org/australia/publications-resources/dentolegal-articles/articles/i-have-received-an-audit-letter-from-a-health-fund-or-medicare
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This episode is part of our podcast series, RiskBites, which provides short, bite-sized guidance around some of the key issues impacting the dental profession right now.

Join Dr David Hallett and Dr Annalene Weston in our latest RiskMatters podcast ‘Why are item numbers so important?’. This insightful discussion on dental item numbers will cover the appropriate use of the ADA glossary codes and in contrast their inappropriate use. Listen as we explore key topics such as why dental practitioners are audited by health funds and Medicare, how the process works and what the best possible outcomes are. Also, find out why dental records are important when it comes to verifying the claims you make.

1.25 – Who writes the Glossary?
1.56 – Health Funds and billing in a multi-appointment procedure
4.45 – Medicare regulation and the use of the Glossary codes
5.30 – Why was I selected for a Medicare or Health Fund audit?
11.35 – Upcoding
17.00 – Release of patient records to Health Funds
19.55 – Dental records and their importance in verifying claims
24.10 – Audit outcomes
31.05 – Potential consequences of a negative audit finding on your provider number
37.10 – Splitting treatment codes over Health Fund years
42.23 – Study model or working model?
46.10 – Treating friends and family members