Sharing care is second nature to most of us, it’s embedded in how we practise, because dental care is never delivered in isolation. Yet while collaborative care may feel intuitive, it’s underpinned by clearly defined principles set out in our shared Code of Conduct and scope of practice guidelines.

These frameworks outline the professional standards we are expected to uphold, and they become critical reference points if care outcomes are ever called into question.

Join Senior Dentolegal Consultant Dr Annalene Weston and Mrs Anita Kemp in this episode of Dental Protection RiskBites series as they unpack these guiding principles and explore our professional obligations when providing care as part of a team.

Dental Therapists, Dental Hygienist and Oral Health Therapists continue to receive the highest proportion of complaints related to scope of practice which is likely a reflection of how these roles have evolved over time, often leading to confusion, misunderstanding or lack of awareness.

In this episode of RiskBites, Dr Annalene Weston speaks with Mrs Kristin Trafford-Wiezel, a case manager at Dental Protection and OHT, about the changes that have shaped these roles, what they mean for the profession today, and how the guidelines and principles of scope and independent practice apply across all divisions of dentistry.Kristin also shares a case featured in our 2024 Sliding Doors webinar: Who’s Driving the Bus?

CaseMatters is a podcast series designed to create a shared experience where all points of view are explored. 

In this episode we find out what can happen when a patient who has very strong views about their treatment needs attends a multi-practitioner practice and selectively takes on advice that supports and aligns with his beliefs, choosing to ignore the advice that doesn’t.

In this episode of RiskMatters, Dr Annalene Weston from Dental Protection speaks with Dr Trudy Lin. 
 
Trudy’s accolades are many and in this podcast, she shares her personal journey into general practice and later special needs dentistry, as well as providing some guiding principles for the inclusion of specials needs care, in general practice. 
 
In addition to her impressive dental career, Trudy is also a mindset coach so listen in as Annalene and Trudy discuss her ‘other passion’, which is engaging, insightful and relevant to us all, as practitioners and people.  

3.27 - Special needs dentistry
4.48 - Risk management strategies when looking after patients who have specialist needs
7.15 - The relevance of renal conditions
8.54 - Role of GDPs in the management of patients with special needs
10.48 - Reaching out to special need specialists
12.48 - Specialists special training pathways
15.50 - Why Trudy became a specialist
16.50 - Impact of self limiting beliefs
20.30 - Mindset and leadership coaching
21.44 - What is a belief?
23.44 - How Trudy become a mindset coach
27.25 - Safe Failure
32.33 - Who benefits from having a mindset coach?
38.00 - (Self) perception
39.50 - Support and Ahpra's view
44.40 - Techniques - reframing
51.00 - Techniques - awesome and brain dumps
54.45 - Techniques - Self-care and wellness
56.15 - Loading
101.05 - How burnout fits in and saying no

https://extramiledental.com.au/about/

At Dental Protection we often talk about ‘stranger danger’ and the issues that can arise when treating strangers or new patients. However, it goes without saying that treating new patients is an unavoidable occurrence in our daily practice.

In this episode of RiskBites titled Dental Histories, Dr Annalene Weston and Dr Simon Parsons outline a multi-step approach for treating ‘new’ patients that can be easily applied to your practice and will enable you to successfully manage their care from the first encounter. 

In this edition, Dr Annalene Weston, Senior Dentolegal Consultant based in the Brisbane Office takes with A/Prof Jo Yarker and Marleen Reinke about their recently completed research into practitioner wellness. This research was funded by the MPS Foundation.

The MPS Foundation is a global, not-for-profit, research initiative, dedicated to improving patient safety, reducing risk, and enhancing the wellbeing of all healthcare professionals. The Foundation supports research relevant to public and private healthcare in both primary and secondary care settings, outpatient practices, and dental care and is committed to investing in research, analysis, education, and training.

Thriving in private practice

Preventative wellbeing intervention for dentists | Affinity Health at Work

The MPS Foundation

In this episode of Riskbites, Senior Dentolegal advisor Dr Annalene Weston and Dr Colm Harney from Dental Protection discuss an area of practice that is under particular scrutiny at the moment by the regulator which is ‘cosmetic dentistry’. 

Although the existing guidelines about this area of practice are still under consultation, there has been a declared focus on “reforming the regulation of registered health practitioners who work in the non-surgical cosmetic procedures sector in Australia to improve practice and standards, improve public safety, and provide opportunities for more informed consumer choice.”

Listen in to Annalene and Colm to find out more.

When an adverse outcome occurs or treatment does not go to plan, our patients are often recognised as the only victim in these situations.  But are they? 

In this episode of RiskBites, Senior Dentolegal consultant Dr Annalene Weston explores the concept of the second victim, and its correlation with the Buddhists parable of the second arrow.

Annalene goes on to explain how this teaching essentially encompasses everything that a dentolegal consultant strives to impart when assisting members with a complaint or adverse outcome.

Uber, Audits and dentistry and interesting concept. 

In this episode of RiskBites Senior Dentolegal consultant Dr Annalene Weston quizzes Dr Colm Harney about the title of this podcast and asks the obvious question ‘what does a ride-hailing service have in common with third party payment audits in dentistry.’

Colm shares his thoughts and goes on to identify common reference points utilised by private Health Funds and Medicare to determine:

1. whether a claim is acceptable and
2. why an audit may occur in the first instance.   

Later providing helpful advice on how you can ensure your compliance in this space, leaving you free to focus on your patient and your practice.   

In recognition of International Women’s Day, Senior dentolegal consultant Dr Annalene Weston interviews our CEO of Medical Protection Society, Karen Miller. 

Karen has been and continues to be an inspirational leader to many women and men and in this episode of RiskMatters, Karen shares the highs, lows and lessons learnt in her illustrious career as well as what International Women’s Day means to her. 

It’s often incredibly challenging to know if you’re making the right decision when changing jobs or even starting in a new position for the very first time. Is this going to be the right choice for me? Am I doing the right thing if I have some doubts about the new role?

In this episode of RiskBites Dr Annalene Weston and Dr Simon Parsons, dentolegal consultants at Dental protection explore some of the issues faced by practitioners contemplating a new role or perhaps start their own practice.

In this episode of RiskMatters Dr Roger Dennet speaks with Dr Ralph Kelsey who has a long and storied career in dentistry.   
 
Ralph provides Dentolegal reports to support Dental Protection members and bespoke programs of education for those members who fall foul of Ahpra.   
 
Listen in as Roger and Ralph discuss a number of topics sent in by some of our young members, imparting some sage and salient advice.

As we know communication is key and when things don’t go to plan or as we  expected the consequences can be surprising, unkind and unfair. But regardless of this there is always two sides or more, to every story.

In this episode of CaseMatters, the practitioner, practice and patient all have their own account and interpretation of their appointments, their discussions, expectations and time together.  Listen in to hear the differing perspectives, that ended in a disgruntled patient and an emotive, negative and hurtful online review.

This year we’ve shared many podcasts that have identified areas of risk and shared information, moments and cases that we can all learn from. 

For our last podcast of 2024, we wanted to flip our focus and share a feel-good story, reminding us that not all complaints end badly.

Too often we can focus on the negative but prior to the year's end we hope that you can each take some time to reflect on, acknowledge and celebrate some of your triumphs and successes, be it professionally, personally or both. Happy holidays everyone.

In this episode of RiskMatters, Senior Dento-legal Dr Annalene Weston speaks with Emeritus Professor Laurie Walsh about the recent changes to the Infection control guidance, namely the replacement of the Standard 4815 with AS 5369 – Reprocessing of reusable medical devices and other devices in health and non-health related facilities, as well as the subsequent updating of the ADA infection control guidance. 

Their discussion goes on to include additional topics about AI’s role in infection control and the environmental impact of disposable items in dentistry.  

2.23 - Why did the guidance change?
6.06 - Has covid had a big impact on the guidance?
8.00 - How regularly should we attend IC CPD?
10.50 - Current position regarding air removal and steam penetration tests?
14.05 - Where do people find consultations?
16.25 - 'Small office' sterilisers
18.37 - How often should we go into our steri rooms to check?
21.50 - Future IC assistance in IC?
26.28 - ABHR in lieu of handwashing?
29.04 - Laundering gowns
32.53 - Environmental impact of dentistry - sustainable alternatives? 

Is truth linked to fact? Is it a rigid and fixed construct or is it moveable, expanding and contracting like a rubber band.  
 
In many ways truth can be subjective and is often seated in an individual’s perception of the facts, what they have experienced, what they believe they have experienced and what they want to believe they have experienced.  Unfortunately, when perceptions of truth don’t align, it can it result in practitioners bearing the brunt of a very unhappy patient.   
 
In this episode of RiskBites, Dentolegal consultants Dr Annalene Weston and Dr Kiran Keshwara discuss the elasticity of truth, sharing helpful advice on how practitioners can avoid being stung or blamed, when the band of truth recoils or potentially snaps.  

Join Dr Annalene Weston and Dr Kiran Keshwara, dentolegal consultants at Dental protection as they discuss the issue of Burnout, one of the most pressing concerns for contemporary dental practitioners globally.

Annalene is a champion for interventions that safeguard the needs of dental professionals and in this episode, she explains what Burnout is, how it feels and how it can present in ourselves, our colleagues and in our practice.

Annalene and Kiran, also discuss the concept of a third space and how we can utilise this space that sits ‘in between’ to our benefit.

The thought of litigation can unsettle the most seasoned practitioner. 

A question often asked by members who have received notification, or a threat of legal proceedings is …. ‘When can patients sue?’

In this episode of RiskBites Senior dentolegal consultant Dr Annalene Weston and Dr Kiran Keshwara, from Dental protection discuss the how, when and why patients can successfully sue their dentist.

They go on to explain the process of legal claims and provide sequential advice on how to proceed if you do find yourself in receipt of letter from a lawyer.  Concluding their discussion with helpful tips and advice on how you can avoid a complaint or adverse outcome escalating to a legal claim in the first place.

Receiving a solicitors letter can be a terrifying experience for any practitioner, particularly when you read it, and are unsure what it means for you and your registration Join Senior Dentolegal Consultant Dr Annalene Weston and Dr Mike Rutherford from Dental Protection as they discuss the different types of letters that can be received, and what to do when they are.

In this episode of RiskBites, Senior dentolegal consultant Dr Annalene Weston and Dr Ralph Neller focus on how practitioners can best capture their discussions about risk and warnings in their clinical records. Annalene and Ralphs discussion highlights the challenges faced by practitioners when their records fail to evidence these discussions and provide helpful advice of how to document both general and particular risks specific to each procedure and patient