How to Make a Complaint About My Local Dentist
There are various reasons why you might need to file a complaint about a local dentist. You can complain if you received incorrect treatment or were charged excessive fees. Other reasons might arise if the dentist falsely or misleadingly advertised services or did not follow safety and sanitary procedures. You must be prepared to explain your complaint objectively and persuasively, describing when and where the issue occurred.
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Instructions
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Gather evidence to support your complaint. If X-rays were taken before you received treatment, then request a copy so that you can demonstrate your condition both before and after the treatment.
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Contact the local or state professional organization of dentists. For instance, if you live in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, you can contact the Los Angeles Dental Society (ladental.com), which is affiliated with the California Dental Association (cda.org).
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Speak with a representative from your insurance company. Several dentists receive most of their clients through insurance referrals. Insurance companies usually implement internal monitoring systems to track complaints.
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Contact your state's dental licensing board to submit a Board of Dentistry Complaint Form. Boards usually conduct investigations after receiving complaints and review findings before a committee. Most boards can assess sanctions against the dentist, which might include suspending his license or ordering restitution of unnecessary fees.
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Consult with a malpractice attorney to determine if your complaint contains sufficient grounds for litigation. For example, you might need to establish negligence in order to support your case that a dentist acted incompetently.
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Tips & Warnings
You should get a second opinion from a different dentist to gauge your complaint. If it is the case, explain that you experienced pain after a dentist crowned your teeth. You could set an appointment to have another dentist evaluate the work and confirm the substandard care.
File your complaint in a timely manner. Malpractice attorneys will inform you about the statute of limitations or time frame that you have to file a complaint. If the statute for malpractice claims in your state is three years, then you must initiate a lawsuit within three years of the incident.
