Patterns of medical accidents and disputes in the orthodontic field in Korea

Abstract

The committee of admitted doctors developed a questionnaire regarding medical dispute and distributed it to 1,600 members of Korean Academy of Orthodontics. The questionnaire consisted of three categories and 56 items covering basic information about the doctors and patients who had experienced medical disputes, the cause and workaround of medical accidents, and methods for taking precautions. The present survey showed a similar proportion of responders who had experienced a medical accident compared to the study in 1997. The primary reason for medical disputes was dissatisfaction with appearance. Many doctors felt that they would likely experience a medical dispute at some point. Most disputes were settled by doctors themselves, usually for an amount of less than 5 million Korean won. For some doctors, medical accidents lead to ongoing psychological problems. Responders felt that continuing education for medical dispute is very necessary. These results reveal a need for the association of orthodontists to lead advancements in education and countermeasures for preventing and managing medical accidents and disputes.

The Incidence and Nature of Malpractice Claims against Dentists for Orthodontic Treatment with Periodontal Damage in Israel during the Years 2005–2018—A Descriptive Study

“…In the last decade, orthodontic patients' age trend has changed, from children and adolescents to an increasing number of adult patients [15]. These findings correlate to the age of patients' claims in the current study, with 57% of claimers older than 19 years compared to 25 years (47.3% of patients) in a previous study [8].…”

“…There was no difference in the number of claims in private practice (43% of claims) compared to public clinic (57% of claims), as seen in a previous article in which medical accidents did not significantly differ according to the facility type comparing hospital-based practices and private practices [8].…”

“…Treating physicians should always bear in mind simple risk management strategies for the dual purposes of rendering an enhanced level of treatment and minimizing exposure to potential legal action [7]. For orthodontic treatment, such strategies include a prerequisite in any patient seeking orthodontic treatment to achieve periodontal health and, therefore, a periodontal diagnosis including oral examination, periodontal charting, and a complete periapical radiographic series should always be carried out before the beginning of the orthodontic therapy [6][7][8]. Moreover, comprehensive records should be taken before, during, and after treatment as well as obtaining informed consent from each patient thus discussing the limitations of treatment [6][7][8].…”

“…For orthodontic treatment, such strategies include a prerequisite in any patient seeking orthodontic treatment to achieve periodontal health and, therefore, a periodontal diagnosis including oral examination, periodontal charting, and a complete periapical radiographic series should always be carried out before the beginning of the orthodontic therapy [6][7][8]. Moreover, comprehensive records should be taken before, during, and after treatment as well as obtaining informed consent from each patient thus discussing the limitations of treatment [6][7][8]. The main reasons for lawsuits in orthodontics include the more costly procedures, the generally longer treatment time, which usually involve aesthetics, and treatment performed by dentists working without adequate training [9].…”

Analysis of Anesthesia-related Medical Disputes in the 2009-2014 Period Using the Korean Society of Anesthesiologists Database

“…The reasons for this may result from variations in medical and legal practice. It is evident that the medico-legal burden of procedures in medicine has been increasing steadily in Korea ( 7 ).…”