From my understanding of what my wife (who knows) has told me, the issue is one of documenting problems and making the patient aware of the treatments and the consequences of not having the treatments. I suspect many offices will not deviate from their new patient protocol of doing a complete examination (including x-rays if you don't have a recent set) and documentation before any services, including cleanings, are performed. I believe the issue that can come back to bite them is from problems that they failed to diagnose. That is why dental offices keep meticulous records. An ethical office will present the options and let the patient decide. If you can find an office that is willing to do a cleaning only then that is great but I suspect that is not the norm.
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Originally Posted by rubicon
Basically what I hear is that the threat/fear of being sued creates a demand to do more than a patient desires.
I would venture a guess that a hold harmless agreement might solve the problem.
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