Dental adviser Neena Manek looks at the broad challenges dentists have faced over the past 20 months – and how this has prompted MDDUS to launch a wellbeing service for members

These cases are based on actual calls made to MDDUS advisers and are published here to highlight common challenges within dental practice. Details have been changed to maintain confidentiality.

Employment law adviser Liz Symon offers advice on preventing and dealing with sexual harassment in the workplace

Using messaging apps and the associated risks in relation to maintaining professional standards

Dental business coach Alun Rees offers advice on avoiding complaints that can lead to conflict, by knowing the signs and seeking what’s best for both you and the patient

Should practices consider monitoring social media forums to counter misinformation with factual evidence and advice?

Risk adviser Alan Frame offers advice on dealing with aggressive and violent patients

Dental adviser and Insight editor Sarah Harford offers advice on ending dentist-patient relationships

PROTECTIVE gowns, masks and visors have become synonymous with the Covid-19 pandemic, but as many healthcare providers discovered – PPE is not usually created with everyone in mind.

...Ms H shouts and swears at the receptionist in front of other patients. The practice owner comes out to the waiting area and informs Ms H that her behaviour is totally unacceptable...

...The dentist states that had there been any lip trauma or acid etch gel touching the tissues he would have advised Mr G immediately and recorded this in the clinical notes...

...Mr V states he “knows for a fact” that other dental surgeries are clearing their backlogs and providing routine appointments - and he is “extremely unhappy”...

A recent county court case highlighted the risks that expert legal witnesses face if commenting on clinical matters beyond their expertise.

Professor Deborah Bowman shares insights from her research on the ethical experiences of practitioners during the pandemic.

Book review by Dr Greg Dollman

Physician and double Olympic gold medallist