Risk Management > Tips

Water Damage

Water damage claims can be devastating to a practice—consider installing a solenoid switch. View this link for some important info on solenoid switches:  www.sentinelhydrosolutions.com.

Power Surges

For more information on protecting your office from power surges, click here.

Additional Tips

• When responding to a request for a complete copy of dental records with a properly executed authorization to release all health care information, remember to include records from other providers or facilities.

• Washington State DOH Increases Fee for Copying Records: As of July 1, 2011, the maximum charge for copying dental records is $1.04 per page for the first 30 pages and 79 cents per page thereafter. A $23 clerical searching and handling fee may be charged under state law, but federal law prohibits charging this fee to the patient or the patient’s representative. Finally, making copies of dental records is a separate activity from providing dental services and is subject to sales tax.

• A patient who inadvertently swallows a tooth, crown, dental instrument or a portion thereof should be informed of the situation and referred for a chest or gastrointestinal X-ray. Document in the dental record that the patient has been informed and referred for an X-ray.

• Dental Infection Control: ADA, CDC, and Washington State law are all similar in recommending that weekly testing (at least) be done using biological indicators.

• Keep in mind that the HIPAA Privacy Rules are not meant to hinder patient care.

• Use blue or black ink for chart documentation.

• If the dentist is running late, advise patients of the situation when they arrive.

NORDIC intends this risk management material to be a useful reference, but it is not a substitute for legal advice. The information provided on this Web site is obtained from or developed with the use of sources generally considered to be reliable. The information included may not be accurate for all states and all situations. Accuracy and completeness are not guaranteed. The information is intended as risk management advice. It does not constitute a legal opinion, nor is it a substitute for legal advice. Legal inquiries about topics covered on our Web site should be directed to your attorney. The Risk Management Department strives to help dentists reduce the frequency and severity of patient injury, but nothing herein establishes a standard of care.