Where Can I Register A Malpractice Complaint Against A Dentist?

Problems with Your Dentist

Patients of Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS) member dentists look the best intendance. When a patient is unhappy with his or her dental treatment, it is a practiced idea to speak with the providing dentist first. Sometimes the dentist and patient are able to resolve the problem on their ain. Sometimes they tin't. That's where the MDS and its dispute resolution process, called Peer Review, can aid.

What Is Peer Review?

Peer Review

Peer Review is the process by which the Massachusetts Dental Society Peer Review Commission reviews and resolves problems and other issues regarding dental treatment. Peer Review is available for patients, tertiary-party payers, and member dentists. Complaints concerning the quality of dental intendance or the appropriateness of dental handling rendered tin be submitted to Peer Review for resolution.

Should the Commission make up one's mind in the patient's favor, it can make recommendations for partial refunds, full refunds, or that the treatment exist re-done past the original dentist. It cannot recommend reimbursements beyond the actual cost of the original handling. Should the Commission find in the dentist's favor, it can affirm that the handling in question is appropriate and meets the customs standard of care.

View the Peer Review brochure for a comprehensive overview of the process.

Getting Started

Peer Review is only available for treatment performed by MDS member dentists. The programme is non able to accept complaints confronting non-member dentists. Complaints submitted to the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistry (BORID) or are otherwise the subject of legal activeness will besides non exist accepted. Both parties (patient and dentist) must agree to submit the case to Peer Review.

To open a Peer Review case please download, complete, and return the Complaint and Limitation forms to the MDS.

What to Expect

Once your complaint is accustomed, your case volition exist assigned to a mediator in your local area. Mediators are dentists who are trained to help dentists and patients resolve disagreements. If arbitration is not successful, a hearing will exist called by the local Peer Review Committee to decide on a recommended solution. The patient or the dentist may appeal the recommendation to the State Peer Review Committee. When a case is accustomed for a hearing on the country level, the determination of the state committee is final.

Peer Review is a non-legal, non-punitive process. Information technology relies on good organized religion between both parties to resolve their differences in order to promote the all-time possible oral health of the patient. Recommendations are fabricated within the Peer Review system as a "gesture of goodwill."

For help, contact Hilda Ioanilli at 800.342.8747, ext. 223.