Negligence

Question 1

How does negligence happen

Answer 1

Negligence is when
1. There is a usual and normal practice
2. The dentist did not adopt that practice
3. The course the dentist adopted is one which no dentist of ordinary skill would have taken if acting with ordinary care

Question 2

What is clinical negligence

Answer 2

• Dentist owed a duty of care
• Duty was breached
• Breach caused or contributed to damage
• Damage was reasonably foreseeable

Question 3

How do we prevent accusations of negligence

Answer 3

Always ensure that note taking is good and that you note all advice etc provided, even things such as prevention
Stick by common practice and if you don’t then note why
Where a risk if foreseeable e.g inhalation of a file, action should be taken to prevent such a thing e.g use of dam or floss