Legal Documentation and Record Keeping

Monday, October 19, 2020  |  9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  |  Online  |  Register Now

Instructor: Catherine Sarkis, JD, MBA
Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Health Policy & Health Services Research, Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine
Ms. Sarkis is a member of the Dean’s Council on Ethics and Professionalism. She is a member of the American Society of Dental Ethics. 

Overview:
Records are the key to continued care for the patient and the backbone to any defense in a malpractice suit. This course makes the dentist aware of the role and importance of dental records and teaches what to record and which forms are vital for a healthy practice.
At the end of the course, participants will be able to put in place a risk management system as well as conduct an audit of their present risk management status and isolate and correct the weaknesses.

Course Objectives:

• Enhance doctor/patient communication
• Optimal use of informed consent
• Dismissal of the “problem patient”: recording the how and why
• Use of key words and phrases
• Discussion of malpractice avoidance
• Presentation of the structure of a lawsuit
• Description of the potential plaintiff: the “red flag”
• When treatment is completed: what to do?
• Use of the record as “preventative management”
• How long should records be kept?
• Required record content
• Inclusion of the patient’s complete health history

Teaching Method: Lecture

Recommended for: General dentists, specialists, office managers, office staff

Testimonials:

“Attorney Sarkis was excellent with a very practical presentation of the subject.” – Dr. Anthony J. Sciuto, March 2018

“The speaker knows the materials well and has delivered an excellent lecture at a good speed and voice. All details were explained nicely.” – Participant, May 2016

“Good speaker, despite dry topic in nature.” – Participant, May 2016

“It’s always a pleasure to attend Cathy’s lectures, very open to questions throughout and dialogue. I learned from other dentists’ experiences as well as from her knowledge. Very thorough and informative and I will implement into my practice.” – Dr. Siri Steinle, April 2019

Register Now