A restorative study of complaints filed with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistry in 1972-1973 and 1984-1985
Date
1986
DOI
Authors
Menard, Sherrie L.
Version
OA Version
Citation
Abstract
A retrospective comparative study of complaints filed with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistry was conducted for two time periods, 1972-1973 and 1984-1985. The purpose of the study was to determine if there were changes in the number, type, and outcome of patient complaints or in the demographics of complainants and licensees from one time period to another.
Data were obtained from the Board log books for 1984-1985, followed by examination of individual written files for each of the 336 actual cases. Data for the 201 cases of 1972-1973 were collected only from logs and ledgers for those years as no individual files were available.
Findings indicate a range in dentists' age at the time of complaint was 28-71 with a mean age of 43.1 years for the earlier years and a range of 27-75 with a mean of 45.7 for the more recent time period. The sex of the complainants was predominantly female for both time periods.
A review of the data showed that most complaints primarily addressed fees, workmanship, and ethics in 1972-1973, as compared to an increase in the number of cases related to abandonment, unprofessional conduct, and drug violations in 1984-1985.The highest proportion of claims were filed against the older practitioner replaced to decrease levels of clinical quality.
Recommendations are presented regarding dentist-patient relations and improving the quality of patient care.
Description
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Thesis (M.Sc.)--Boston University, Henry M. Goldman School of Graduate Dentistry, 1986 (Dental Public Health).
Includes bibliographical references: (leaves 31-32).
Thesis (M.Sc.)--Boston University, Henry M. Goldman School of Graduate Dentistry, 1986 (Dental Public Health).
Includes bibliographical references: (leaves 31-32).
License
This work is protected by copyright. Downloading is restricted to the BU community. If you are the author of this work and would like to make it publicly available, please contact open-help@bu.edu.