False complaints are dental professionals’ top concern
A new study has revealed dental professionals are most concerned about patients who make false complaints in an attempt to receive legal and financial compensation.
Research by Dentorum, the online dental network, has shown that 78% of dental professionals were concerned about false complaints, with 41% expressing that they were ‘very concerned’ by the issue.
General manager of Dentorum, Sarah Simpson, states that the survey brings attention to some of the key worries that dental professionals in the UK are harbouring, and hopes that by publishing these statistics, experts will be assured that they are not alone in their concerns. She continues to say that often, individual practitioners have a tendency to believe that they are by themselves in the issues they worry over, but Dentorum wants to show people that across practices, there are common themes.
Other worries included the future costs of professional indemnity cover, with nearly three quarters (72%) of respondents concerned over this, 30% of these very concerned. 68% of dental professionals also believe that patients can have unrealistic expectations as regards to the cost of private treatment, which can potentially heighten the risk of false complaints.
85% were concerned over regulatory changes meaning further cost burdens on practices, 40% very concerned, and two thirds (67%) of those who took part believe that trade bodies and associations do not do enough to support them.
