Dental malpractice is a big no. Gross ignorance and negligence on the part of some dentists have caused injuries and needless deaths of patients. Thus, the proposed Anti- Medical and Dental Malpractice Act is pushed to get rid of incompetent dental practitioners who couldn’t provide patients with quality oral care. This bill complements the Medical Malpractice Act of 2004 by imposing stiffer penalties on dental malpractice. Both bills prioritize the safety and welfare of patients.
Talk about the safety and welfare of patients, being a victim of dental malpractice can be avoided by recognizing the warning signs early. These are the following:
1. Misdiagnosis – A dentist’s misdiagnosis or failure to notice a problem with teeth, gums and oral health can lead to incorrect treatment and can cause further complications. The misjudgment of the true nature or severity of the dental problem can do no good. Thus, a patient shouldn’t be amazed if the dentist already knew his/her problem with just one look. Keep in mind that a reliable dentist would first run a series of observations and tests to ensure the overall oral health condition before administering procedures.
2. Poor Hygiene – The moment the dental professional uses unsterilized tools is the same moment to raise a red flag. Sterilizing dental tools is a fundamental component of the standard of care. Dentists use and reuse their tools on different patients, so they must thoroughly sterilize those after each use. If they fail to do this, patients could contract illnesses or develop dangerous infections.
3. Medication Errors – When the patient is given medicine repeatedly that does not improve or worsens the condition, that could be a sign of dental malpractice. Medication errors can be in the form of giving the wrong prescription, improper directions, incorrect dosage and failing to alert the patient regarding potential complications. Thus, as a patient, be mindful before taking in medicine.
4. Performing Unnecessary Treatments – Tooth extractions, crowns, or other dental procedures are normally necessary to protect a patient’s health. However, if a dentist performs a procedure that is later determined to be unnecessary, that’s malpractice. When in doubt, ask your dentist to fully explain the procedure and the reason why it needs to be performed.
5. Negative Feedback – Before settling with a dental clinic, do your research first. When your desired dental clinic has a lot of bad reviews, better look for another clinic. You can look through the Top 100 Dental Clinics in the Philippines to find competent dentists from Quezon City, Makati, Marikina and more.
Upon noticing these warning signs, protect yourself immediately to prevent incorrect treatments. Plus, always be mindful and be meticulous in choosing your dentist. Like what Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo said, dental malpractices should not go unchecked.
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