Living in fear?

Robert F Kennedy once said, “We live in interesting times”. I really don’t think there is a more appropriate quote to describe the dental profession today. On the one hand, we live in an age of opportunity – we have access to better tools and technologies than ever before, and we can provide our patients with an outstanding level of care. Yet on the other hand, there is a darker side to dentistry, one that challenges us on a daily basis, and threatens to undermine the work that we all so love.

Litigation culture

Many colleagues live in fear of litigation, or being brought up before the General Dental Council on a charge. After all, it only takes one small complaint from a patient and whether you’re innocent or guilty, the chances are you will come out the other end questioning your career. Fears such as these mean that newly qualified GDPs are now terrified of doing many procedures, having gained little in the way of practical experience while at dental school. While they will certainly know about communication skills, vicarious liability and compliance, some may have only completed a single bridge or root canal treatment before qualifying.