Dental assistants, your professional liability insurance (PLI), which is also known as malpractice insurance, protects you and your patients in the event of a claim. What should you do if something happens that could lead to a PLI claim?
Report It Immediately
Standard of Practice 2.2(i) requires that you report potential claims immediately to your insurance company. Reporting right away is in your best interest as some claims have been denied because the insured person waited too long to report the incident.
Immediately reporting any claims or possible claims to your insurance provider allows them to open a file and ensure it’s complete and accurate if a claim is made against you. If a claim isn’t made, they close the file.
Legal Advice May Be Covered
In addition to reporting, be sure to advise your insurance provider before seeking legal advice on your own as your coverage may include access to legal advice. That legal advice is typically from a lawyer with experience and expertise in regulatory (or administrative) law, as opposed to general lawyers.
Potential Claims
Potential claims can include but are not limited to:
- dropping an instrument and harming a patient
- a patient swallows a rubber dam clamp
- using an instrument that’s too warm and causes tissue to burn
- exposing a patient to contaminated instruments
- an incident that happens where you practice, even if you’re not involved
- a complaint is made against you to the College
Findings
Insurance companies do not share claims information with us. However, you are responsible to report to us if a finding of professional negligence is made against you. (Standard of Practice 15.2(c))