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Legal Documentation and Record Keeping
November 8, 2023 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm EST
Instructor: Catherine Sarkis, JD, MBA
Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Health Policy & Health Services Research, Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine
Ms. Sarkis is a member of the Dean’s Council on Ethics and Professionalism. She is a member of the American Society of Dental Ethics.
Overview
Records are the key to continued care for the patient and the backbone to any defense in a malpractice suit. This course makes the dentist aware of the role and importance of dental records and teaches what to record and which forms are vital for a healthy practice.
At the end of the course, participants will be able to put in place a risk management system as well as conduct an audit of their present risk management status and isolate and correct the weaknesses.
Course Objectives
- Enhance doctor/patient communication
- Optimal use of informed consent
- Dismissal of the “problem patient”: recording the how and why
- Use of key words and phrases
- Discussion of malpractice avoidance
- Presentation of the structure of a lawsuit
- Description of the potential plaintiff: the “red flag”
- When treatment is completed: what to do?
- Use of the record as “preventative management”
- How long should records be kept?
- Required record content
- Inclusion of the patient’s complete health history
Teaching Method: Lecture
Recommended for: General dentists, specialists, office managers, office staff
Testimonials
“Attorney Sarkis was excellent with a very practical presentation of the subject.” – Dr. Anthony J. Sciuto, March 2018
“The speaker knows the materials well and has delivered an excellent lecture at a good speed and voice. All details were explained nicely.” – Participant, May 2016
“Good speaker, despite dry topic in nature.” – Participant, May 2016
“It’s always a pleasure to attend Cathy’s lectures, very open to questions throughout and dialogue. I learned from other dentists’ experiences as well as from her knowledge. Very thorough and informative and I will implement into my practice.” – Dr. Siri Steinle, April 2019