The Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation promotes the health and safety of the public. When a formal complaint is made against a dental provider, the LLR will contact the state Board of Dentistry to initiate an investigation. The following protocol aids a dental provider in maintaining their license and good reputation.

Common Complaints

A dental complaint can come in the form of a patient declaring that their dental issue wasn't handled properly. A dentist may be accused of misdiagnosing a condition, ultimately leading to the patient experiencing pain or an advanced dental problem.

A patient may also state that they were given the wrong amount of anesthesia. Some cases that are brought to the attention of the LLS may involve being billed improperly. A patient may state that fraudulent behavior occurred, resulting in being mischarged or being held liable for insurance payments that they were not supposed to be responsible for.

An Attorney's Support Services

Even when a complaint is filed, this does not mean that a dental provider was at fault. Just like with any type of civil lawsuit, both parties that are involved in the dispute will have the opportunity to present supporting evidence and furnish a statement. A good dental license defense is a dental provider's opportunity to have their name cleared.

An attorney will advise a dental provider on what types of situations will warrant that a case is dismissed. For instance, if the person who initiated the complaint does not have any solid proof that any wrongdoing occurred, a dental provider's attorney may advise their client on how they will go about having the charge dropped.

A dental provider may need to submit dental records, which will discount the claim that a patient made against the provider. The records may include X-rays and other supporting documents that prove that a diagnosis was made properly, or that treatment was executed the correct way. If a billing error is the reason that a patient filed a complaint, an attorney will look over the paperwork that relates to the charge.

All of the supporting documents will be kept confidential throughout the legal process. When it is time for a dental provider to attend a hearing that is held in front of their state's Board of Dentistry, the defendant's attorney will represent them. The Board may find that the defendant is innocent or guilty of the accusation. If the dental provider is found guilty, their license may be suspended or revoked. They may also receive a formal warning. 

Speak to a dental license defense lawyer to find out more.