Risk management Program for Residents/New Orthodontists
Friday, May 1, 2009 (2-5 p.m.)
New and younger orthodontists are not exempt from malpractice claims and dental board complaints. In fact, your exposures are significant, due in part to less experience. This program is designed to identify elements of practice and treatment that can result in claims specifically related to newer doctors. The choice of practice, for example, can be a problem; what job opportunity considerations and research are critical to protect from claims? What practice activities and behaviors result in increased malpractice exposure? From the quality of treatment plans and records, to the effectiveness of communication skills, enhancing patient satisfaction and achieving good outcomes are constant challenges. Add to that the current economic downturn, and the chances of drawing a malpractice claim increase. These are among many critical issues that will be discussed.
The AAO Council on Insurance and AAOIC (RRG) are sponsoring this program to define the scope of malpractice today, and educate new doctors on behaviors and activities that will minimize their exposure to claims and dental board complaints. A panel of three experts will discuss the risks and solutions: Dr. Terry Pracht, DDS, MS. Dr. Pracht was in private practice over 30 years. He has served on the AAOIC Claims Committee, reviewing and evaluating orthodontic malpractice claims; Ms. Janet Bobit, Esq. is a malpractice defense attorney who specializes in handling and trying medical and dental malpractice litigation in Massachusetts; Elizabeth Franklin, BA, MS, is the professional liability claims manager who has directed the handling of AAOIC’s orthodontic malpractice claims since the company’s inception.
The panel will answer questions at the end of the presentation. Doctors’ Risk Management Program
May 2, 2009 (8:30 - 11:30 a.m.)
Malpractice exposure is always present for orthodontists; disgruntled patients will have or perceive problems with their treatment and blame the doctor. Add in a severe economic downturn, and the malpractice risk escalates. This is the current climate facing all orthodontists. Are more of your patients behind in fee payments? Are they missing appointments, probably because they owe money? Are more patients complaining, perhaps setting the stage for filing a claim? Are you finding that emotional stress created by economic problems is having a negative impact on a patient’s treatment, or the doctor/patient relationship? This program, sponsored by the AAO Council on Insurance and the AAO Insurance Company (RRG) will address the current state of orthodontic malpractice exposure.
The topics will be discussed by a panel of experts including: Dr. Mervin Graham, who has been a practicing orthodontist and is currently a member of the AAOIC (RRG) Claims Committee; Dr. Ali Ghatri, an AAOIC insured who was sued by a patient. His case was tried—and won; Ms. Janet Bobit, Esq., a medical and dental malpractice defense attorney in Boston, Massachusetts; Elizabeth Franklin, the claims manager who oversees the handling of all AAOIC malpractice claims.
Dr. Ghatri will share his personal claim experience—how the litigation impacted his life. He will also discuss effects of the current economy on his practice. The other speakers will use their claims and litigation handling experience to provide solutions to help you protect your practice. There will be a Q and A session following the presentation.
Risk Management for the Orthodontic Staff
May 3, 2009 (9:45 - 11:15 a.m.)
Orthodontic staff can be the cause of malpractice claims; staff can also prevent them. From office accidents and poor performance of clinical duties to their myriad supporting activities, employees have a significant impact on patient satisfaction and the filing of claims or dental board complaints. This program, sponsored by the AAO Insurance Company (AAOIC) (RRG) and the AAO Council on Insurance will address both sides of the issue.
The speaker is Elizabeth Franklin, the claims manager who oversees the handling of all malpractice claims for AAOIC (RRG). Using summaries of real claims, she will discuss incidents and accidents that have resulted in claims and regulatory body complaints involving orthodontic staff. She will also show how effective staff supporting activity such as records keeping and good communication minimizes claims exposure. She will discuss insurance coverage ramifications facing staff members who fail to follow state dental practices regulations. She will address other claim prevention practices, such as early recognition of potentially problem patients and handling fee related problems before they become claims.
This program is interactive. Attendees are encouraged to discuss actual patient problems occurring in their offices.
