The Incidence and Nature of Claims against Dentists Related to Periodontal Treatment in Israel during the Years 2005–2019

Dima Nassar, Nirit Tagger-Green, Haim Tal, Carlos Nemcovsky, Eitan Mijiritsky, Ilan Beitlitum, Eitan Barnea and Roni Kolerman
Additional contact information
Dima Nassar: The Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel
Nirit Tagger-Green: Department of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry, The Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel
Haim Tal: Department of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry, The Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel
Carlos Nemcovsky: Department of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry, The Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel
Eitan Mijiritsky: Department of Oral Rehabilitation, The Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel
Ilan Beitlitum: Department of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry, The Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel
Eitan Barnea: Prosthodontist, Private Practice, Tel-Aviv 6100000, Israel
Roni Kolerman: Department of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry, The Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 8, 1-10

Abstract: Background: In recent years, worldwide dental malpractice claims have dramatically increased. The purpose of the present study is to analyze periodontal therapy related claims in Israel that led to legal decisions. Methods: This retrospective cohort study includes malpractice claims against dental practitioners related to periodontology between 2005 and 2019. Only closed cases where a final decision was made were included. The chi-square test or Fisher exact test for categorical variables were performed and a p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: During the study period there were 508 legal claims related to periodontal disease. Most plaintiffs were women (63.4%), and 71.3% of the patients were >35 years old. Most claims (82.8%) were settled out of court and ended in compromise. Claims concerning the treatment of periodontal disease by periodontists accounted only for 4.5% (23/508) of the cases while 95.5% (485/508) of the claims were for complications secondary to another treatment. Prosthodontic treatment was involved with the highest number 54.5%, followed by dental implants 17.7%, and endodontics 11.6%. The allegations were related to pain and distress (84.8%), aggravation of existent periodontal disease (83.3%), tooth loss (78.1%), and violation of autonomy (47%). Conclusions: The main cause for lawsuits was related to aggravation of periodontal disease during prosthetic or implant therapy and related to suspected faulty or inexistent preoperative diagnosis and planning. Practical implications: Periodontal consultation before dental treatment may reduce malpractice risks, adverse events, and un-necessary changes of treatment plans.

Keywords: periodontal malpractice; claims; adverse events (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/8/4153/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/8/4153/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:8:p:4153-:d:536165

Access Statistics for this article

IJERPH is currently edited by Ms. Jenna Liu

More articles in IJERPH from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().