Adverse Occurrence Guide

The majority of state dental boards require a licensee to report adverse occurrences or events, such as the death of a patient following or believed to be related to dental treatment, to their state licensing board. Failure to submit a report to the state licensing agency can result in discipline against a dentist license and potentially a finding of unprofessional conduct.

The reporting window varies by state and can be as immediate as 48 hours. The Dentists Insurance Company has developed this reference guide to increase dentists’ awareness of these reporting requirements. TDIC recommends engaging the services of an attorney or reaching out to your professional liability carrier to seek assistance with the board notification process.