Omnistar Beacon

The primary focus of risk management is the protection of resources from losses due to legal action and the activities associated with risk management are easily adapted to a dental practice. The focus of these activities is directed at identifying areas of legal vulnerability and taking steps directed at mitigating or eliminating these risks. Additionally, purchasing insurance to offset potential financial losses is essential to risk management. The current areas of legal vulnerability center around issues of (1) absence of consent to care, (2) negligence, and (3) breach of contract. Consent to care, to be valid, must be informed and granted voluntarily. To meet the test of "informed," the information given to the patient must be in understandable language and contain the risks, benefits, and alternatives to the recommended treatment. Otherwise, it may not provide much of a defense. In addition, the patient must be given an opportunity to have his or her questions answered. Obtaining consent in th