DDU
Latest Stories
Patients or consumers for cosmetic facial treatments?
John Makin says dental professionals need to be cautious when marketing cosmetic facial treatments. Two new documents appeared in my…
Aesthetic dentistry
Changes at the GDC leading to ‘better protection of the public’
Changes over the last three years at the General Dental Council (GDC) has lead to better protection of the public.…
Dentistry
GDC changing its emphasis
John Makin explains why the GDC’s changing emphasis is something the dental profession should welcome. Fortunately, relatively few dental professionals undergo a…
Blog
Mouth cancer diagnosis – be safe not sorry
In support of Mouth Cancer Action Month, Sue N’Jie highlights the dentolegal risks of missing a mouth cancer diagnosis. Mouth…
Dentistry
Open wide: the risks of inhaled or swallowed dental instruments
If a patient swallows or inhales something while in the dental chair, it can result in a negligence claim. Such…
Dentistry
Dealing with aggressive and challenging behaviour
David Lauder provides effective ways of responding to challenging patients Most patients get on well with their dentist and the…
Dentistry
Contractual friction burns
John Makin on how to temper the fallout when a relationship between practice and associate turns sour. Dentists have traditionally…
Blog
Around 40% of claims costs are for treatment started more than a decade ago
Almost 40% of costs for dental claims made in 2018 relate to cases where treatment started 10 or more years…
Dentistry
GDC closes consultation after receiving 79 responses
The General Dental Council’s (GDC’s) consultation on its plans over the next three years is now closed. Results from the…
Dentistry
Government looks to shake up healthcare regulation
The Department of Health and Social Care says it will change regulators’ fitness to practise processes and operating framework. The changes…
Dentistry
Top five reasons for dental claims – implants
Greta Barnes and Debbie Herbst from the DDU look at the main causes of dental implant claims Implant treatment is a…
Dentistry
Read the small print
John Makin advises that it helps to have a clear picture of the types of products on offer when choosing…
Blog
Healthcare regulators encourage reflective practice
Healthcare regulators have joined forces to highlight the benefits of reflective practice among professionals in the healthcare sector. A joint…
Dentistry
Top five reasons for dental claims: periodontal disease
Dental Defence Union experts, Greta Barnes, lead claims handler and Debbie Herbst, dentolegal adviser look at periodontal claims Periodontal disease…
Dentistry
Give honesty a chance
John Makin on why it’s important and ethically sound to inform your patients when their dentist uproots to another practice.…
Blog
Top five reasons for dental claims: caries and fillings
Greta Barnes and Debbie Herbst from the DDU look at caries and fillings With around 6.8 million courses of treatment involving…
Dentistry
Restoring balance
John Makin examines the real issue threatening to undermine indemnity provision for dentists. Dental professionals considering the recent consultation from…
Blog
Dental extractions the most common reason for compensation
Extractions are the most common reason dental patients claim for compensation, the Dental Defence Union (DDU) reveals. In 2017, the DDU…
Dentistry
Top five reasons for dental claims: extractions
In the first of a series of articles, Greta Barnes and Debbie Herbst look at the main causes of dental…
Dentistry