(TC30) The Prevention and Management of Non-Clinical Adverse Effects in Endodontics

Abstract: Nearly 75% of all complaints that are received by Regulatory Bodies (State Boards), have a communications/professionalism component – exceeding those concerned with clinical skills. A non-clinical adverse event is one where an “unwanted but predictable result of an administrative procedure (omission or commission), or behavior or process leads to prolonging anxiety, anger, or simply any psychological or financial harm which the patient should not have suffered.” Patients more than ever are aware of their dental environment and the impact of endodontic care and communication on their overall dental health. Activities such as treatments performed that are not pre-authorized for benefits, treatment performed not consented to, dentist’s ego and obstinance to reconcile, attempting to charge for corrective treatment, inordinate waiting to be seen, billing errors, personality clashes with team members and managerial inconsistency are but a few that impact negatively on the patient’s endodontic experience, negative impact on the endodontist’s reputation, growth of the endodontic office, and it’s expected revenue. These have an impact on business and dental care market dynamics and therefore uttermost attention must be paid to them. These issues, when well-dealt with, lead to successful endodontic treatment with every party being happy (the patient, the referring dentist, and the endodontist). The essence of this table clinic is to present non-clinical adverse events, how to identify them and measures to take to minimize their occurrence and ensure endodontic success.