Legal Analysis of the Causes of Disciplinary Complaints against Dentists In the Medical Council of Qom during the Years 2013-2017

Patient complaints are stressful and costly for dentists. Dentistry is not immune from mistakes, and protesting dental care services is a demand of patients. It is important to check the causes of complaints against dentists and identify the causes of dissatisfaction in determining prevention programs. The purpose of this study is to provide a picture of the causes of complaints from dentists and the judgments in the medical council of Qom.

This study was descriptive, cross-sectional, and retrospective. Complaints against dentists in the Medical council Organization from 2013 to 2017 were reviewed. The variables of age, gender, work experience, proficiency, dental behavioral factors and medical center equipment as well as age and gender of patients were evaluated. Finally, the data were analyzed by SPSS software.

77 cases were examined. 87% of complaints were from male dentists and 13% from female dentists. The prevalence of complaints in female patients (51.9%) was higher than in male patients (48.1%). Of the total number of complaints against dentists, 11% have been prosecuted and 9% have been settled in court. The most important reason for the complaints was the negligence of the dentists in performing the services and no complaints were received from the Lack of equipped medical centers. In cases that were ongoing due to carelessness and lack of expertise in treatment, there was a statistically significant difference in the age of the dentists and their work experiences.

Ethical considerations: 

This research started after receiving the code of ethics from Qom University of Medical Sciences and has been written until the end based on ethical principles, trustworthiness and honesty.

The most important reason for the complaint was the negligence of dentists in performing services. The age of the dentists and the more work experience were showed a relationship with complaints against dentists. The legislator has accepted the "theory of negligence" and the "theory of fault" by deviating from the "theory of danger". In the next step to support therapists (dentists), the legislator has considered that obtaining patient consent relieves the therapist of responsibility. In the third step, the nurse or patient is aware of the wrong prescription, causing the dentist to lose responsibility.