It’s often assumed that clinical errors and complaints are more likely to occur early in a dentist’s career or for those lacking clinical skills. However, experience from Guild Insurance shows that dentists at all stages of their career can face complaints relating to clinical outcomes. In many cases, these issues arise not from a lack of skill, but from challenges in clinical decision making.

This session will explore the range of decisions dentists make every day, including treatment planning, managing patient expectations, and knowing when to refer. It will examine the factors that can support sound decision making, as well as those that may interfere with it.

Learning Objectives

• Recognise that clinical complaints and errors can occur at any stage of a dentist’s career, and are often linked to clinical decision-making rather than technical skill alone.
• Identify the key types of decisions involved in dental practice, including treatment planning, managing patient expectations, and referral decisions.
• Evaluate the factors that support or hinder effective clinical decision-making in order to improve patient outcomes and reduce the risk of complaints.