Category: Legal Issues

In the past few years, I have had the pleasure of getting to know so many of our members throughout the state. I can honestly say in that time it has become abundantly clear that the dental profession is one of the most sincere and professional groups of people that I have ever encountered. Obviously, there are bad actors in any profession, but ... [continue reading]

Over the last few months phone calls to the ODA have picked up regarding the Terminal Distributor of Dangerous Drugs license (TDDD). Due to the significant amount of conversation on this topic I think that it is worthwhile to let all member dentists know that the exemption from having a TDDD license has not changed. Most phone calls are due to ... [continue reading]

A new Ohio law mandating e-prescribing went into effect Friday, Sept. 23. The law requires prescriptions for schedule II-controlled substances to be done electronically, however, those prescribers who write 50 or fewer schedule II prescriptions per year are exempted from the requirement. There are also exceptions in situations where it is ... [continue reading]

Over the past few years it has become more common to see an animal in a dental office or in public places. During that time the ODA has received many calls with questions about animal owners’ “rights” to have an animal in the office or offices wishing to bring in their own animal. The answers to all of these questions depend on the liability ... [continue reading]

A new Ohio law mandating e-prescribing went into effect Friday, Sept. 23. The law requires prescriptions for schedule II-controlled substances to be done electronically, however, those prescribers who write 50 or fewer schedule II prescriptions per year are exempted from the requirement. There are also exceptions in situations where it is ... [continue reading]

A new Ohio law mandating e-prescribing went into effect Friday, Sept. 23. The law requires prescriptions for schedule II-controlled substances to be done electronically, however, those prescribers who write 50 or fewer schedule II prescriptions per year are exempted from the requirement. There are also exceptions in situations where it is ... [continue reading]

If you have read my columns in the past, you know that a consistent point that I have brought up is that documentation is key in the dental office. If it isn’t documented, then in the eyes of most regulatory or legal entities it did not happen. It is great to have all this documentation, but how long should you or do you have to keep it? The ... [continue reading]

Over the past few years I have received phone calls from many members asking about what to do when interacting with government or legal entities. These questions have involved entities such as The Ohio State Dental Board, Ohio Department of Health, DEA, Ohio Board of Pharmacy, Ohio Attorney General’s office, Ohio EPA, judges, small claims courts ... [continue reading]

We regularly get telephone calls from member dentists inquiring about “in-office dental plans” that they have heard about. The most common questions are: How do in-office dental plans work? Are in-office dental plans legal? Are there resources available to assist with plan design and administration? Below is a brief answer to ... [continue reading]

The American Dental Association’s Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct (Code) requires dentists to respect patients’ rights to self-determination and confidentiality. Section 1 – Principle: Patient Autonomy of the Code “expresses the concept that professionals have a duty to treat the patient according to the patient’s ... [continue reading]