Key Points
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Patients expectations of pain, complications and after care can be managed by careful discussion.
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This article notes complications that require the patient's recognition before commencement of the procedure.
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Medical histories may have a significant impact on the delivery of oral surgery.
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Patients of all ages presenting to primary care with trauma and avulsed teeth need specific management.
Abstract
Oral surgery is often an unpleasant experience for a patient and if managed inadequately can be a cause for complaint or a claim in negligence. A practitioner can reduce their risk of complaints, claims or even regulatory body investigations by following some straightforward risk management strategies. Effective communication skills deployed throughout the interaction with the patient, especially during the consent process, are a pre-requisite, as is a proper understanding of the law on consent. An honest reflection by the practitioner on their competence to carry out a procedure, considering their skills, the equipment and support available will result in fewer medico-legal cases. In this article, each stage of the patient's journey is discussed and risk management advice offered for a range of procedures that are regularly encountered in general dental practice.
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Henderson, S. Risk management in clinical practice. Part 11. Oral surgery. Br Dent J 210, 17–23 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2010.1182
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2010.1182
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