Medical Malpractice Insurance News

In June 2022, Dr. James Galati took office as the 142nd president of the New York State Dental Association, the culmination of nearly 30 years of service to organized dentistry. Dr. Galati, who is a longtime MLMIC policyholder, is also an active member of the American Dental Association and the Fourth District Dental Society. We sat down with Dr. Galati to learn more about his background and his thoughts on the dental industry.

MLMIC receives a significant number of calls from policyholders and their office staff who are dealing with difficult situations. These calls can involve patients who are simply noncompliant, unruly patients and even family members who cause disruption in the office and threaten office staff. In every situation, MLMIC offered advice and was able to assist with resolving the situation appropriately.

Practicing diligent hand hygiene is a well-known principle of patient and healthcare worker safety and a standard precaution for infection prevention and control in dental practices. Hand hygiene is one of the most important steps that dental staff can take to prevent the spread of infections. Here are strategies to reduce hygiene risks in your practice.

A difficult patient with pre-existing periodontal disease and poor oral care habits presented to a MLMIC-insured dentist. The dentist attempted a total mouth restoration, which failed. Missing portions of the patient’s chart and films made this case difficult to defend and the case was ultimately settled for more than $250,000.

We are so excited to share our new rapid application for professional liability coverage! Now, new dentists can apply for coverage online in just five minutes. That’s right — less than the amount of time it takes to fill a cavity. Here’s what you need to know.

Is it time to update your liability insurance policy? With most COVID-19 restrictions being lifted and practices returning to normal, it is important that you review your policy and update our underwriters of any changes to ensure proper coverage is in place. The following checklist will help you determine if you should reach out to MLMIC or your liability provider.

Dr. Gregory Dodd, a dentist at Saratoga Springs Family Dentistry and a MLMIC policyholder since 2003, recently announced that his practice will give $10,500 in scholarships to high school students interested in pursuing a career in dentistry. Learn more about Dr. Dodd and his passion for cosmetic, reconstructive and rehabilitative dentistry in the following Q&A.

MLMIC attorneys comment on a very complex case involving a MLMIC insured who treated a patient with a history of heroin dependency and poor dentition. The lawsuit was ultimately indefensible due to poor documentation, sloppy recordkeeping and numerous liability issues.

When dental residents finish training and are faced with their first contract, they may be overwhelmed by the amount of information to sift through. We’ll help you sort through the most important elements of employment contracts and negotiations, starting from the time you are recruited.

MLMIC encourages policyholders to review these important Risk Management Checklists on opioid management, including guidance on managing patients with chronic pain and managing drug-seeking patients.