how can a patient report unsanitary dental office pa

by Jared Armstrong 5 min read

Patients of Unsanitary Pennsylvania Dentist Could Have …

8 hours ago People treated at Cotturo Dental Associates from Jan. 1, 2017 to Sept. 14, 2018 could be at risk for infectious disease due to unsanitary conditions, the Pennsylvania Department of Health says. >> Go To The Portal


You may request a Statement of Complaint Form by mail, by calling the Professional Compliance Office Hotline at 1-800-822-2113 (if you are calling from within Pennsylvania) or at 1-(717) 783-4849 (if you are calling from outside Pennsylvania).

How do I file a complaint against a dentist?

Most state or local dental boards of dentistry have a specific form they prefer you to use, which you can access from their Web site. If not, you can contact them to find out what their specifications are. It could save time in your complaint process if you already have the form included in your complaint.

What do I do if I have a problem with my dentist?

First, discuss any concerns you have with your dentist. Many times this will help clear up the matter. If further assistance is required, patients have other options: Contact your state dental society to ask if they have a process called peer review. Contact your state dental board.

Should you report unsanitary or unsafe living conditions?

If you think that a neighbor or loved one resides in living conditions that could be considered unsanitary or unsafe, it is extremely important to report it. Not only will this benefit them, but it can also prevent future headaches for yourself.

How do I get my medical information from my dentist?

Include your dentist’s license number (which can usually be found on your state’s licensing board’s Web site) and a release of medical information. This allows the dentist's office to release your medical information to any agency you agree to.

How do you handle a complaint in a dental practice?

If you wish to make a complaint about a dentist or dental practice, try to resolve it directly with them first. Contact the dental surgery's practice manager with details of your complaint. You can complain in writing, by email or by speaking to someone.

How do I write a complaint letter to my dentist?

Follow this general format:give your own details (name, address, date of complaint);state the dentist's name and address;set out the details of your complaint and say how you want this complaint resolved; and,state any other relevant details.

How do you report a nurse for unethical behavior?

For more on the complaints process and how it applies in individual situations, contact the CLPNA Complaints Department, Ask CLPNA, or call 780-484-8886 or 1-800-661-5877 (toll free in Alberta).

How do I file a complaint against a hospital in PA?

To report a Public Health Emergency or AN IMMEDIATELY NOTIFIABLE CONDITION, please call 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258) (available 24/7) Need to file a complaint? Visit the Customer Service page. View reportable conditions (requirements for healthcare facilities to report conditions are within this link.)

What is dental negligence?

Failure or delay in the diagnosis of an oral condition or disease. Dental surgical errors. Improper or inappropriate treatment of a dental condition. Use of a defective or ill fitting dental device.

How long does a dentist Have to investigate a complaint?

We endeavour to deal with any concerns in a timely manner and we hope to resolve any complaints at the first point of contact. However, if an investigation is required we will acknowledge the complaint within three working days and endeavour to respond in full within twenty working days.

What happens if a nurse violates the code of ethics?

As much as nurses try to avoid it, ethical violations do occur. Breaches in nursing ethics, depending on the incident, can have significant ramifications for nurses. They may face discipline from their state board of nursing, or from their employer. They can also face litigation.

How do I report a nurse in PA?

You may request a Statement of Complaint Form by mail, by calling the Professional Compliance Office Hotline at 1-800-822-2113 (if you are calling from within Pennsylvania) or at 1-(717) 783-4849 (if you are calling from outside Pennsylvania).

What is the most common reason nurses are disciplined by state boards of nursing?

The most frequent reason for discipline is practicing while impaired. SBNs set and enforce minimum criteria for nursing education programs. Schools of nursing must have state approval to operate.

How do I report an illegal activity in the healthcare setting in PA?

To report suspected fraud, waste, or abuse, you can contact PA Health & Wellness in one of these ways: PA Health & Wellness anonymous and confidential hotline at 1-866-685-8664. Pennsylvania Office of Inspector General at 1-855-FRAUD-PA (1-855-372-8372)

How do I complain about hospital negligence?

You can telephone the team on 0330 024 0330 or send an email trustHR-CLCH@capita-services.co.uk.

Who oversees hospitals in Pennsylvania?

The Department of HealthThe Department of Health is responsible for the licensing and oversight of Pennsylvania's hospitals. ​The department conducts the Medicare and licensure surveys, as well as complaint and incident investigations for these facilities.

What is the term of the dental advisory committee?

An Advisory Committee to serve one six-month term from the effective date of this section, appointed by the board, consisting of three faculty members from dental schools accredited in this Commonwealth, shall be charged with the responsibility of consulting with the aforesaid schools in order to develop programs and standards for graduates of foreign dental schools to qualify for licensure. The committee shall make recommendations and report to the board. The board shall report to the House Professional Licensure Committee and the Senate Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, within six months of the effective date of this act, on the status and progress of this Advisory Committee. Thereafter, the board shall annually report to the House Professional Licensure Committee and the Senate Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure on programs and standards for graduates of foreign dental schools. The Advisory Committee members shall be compensated at the rate of sixty dollars ($60) per diem when actually attending to the work of the board and shall also receive the amount of reasonable traveling, hotel and other necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in accordance with Commonwealth regulations.

Who is deemed to be licensed by the State Board of Dentistry?

Any person who holds a valid license issued by the State Dental Council and Examining Board prior to the effective date of this amendatory act shall, on and after the effective date hereof, be deemed to be licensed by the State Board of Dentistry as provided for in this act.

What is the practice of dentistry?

A person engages in the “Practice of Dentistry,” within the meaning of this act, who diagnoses, treats, operates on, or prescribes for any disease, pain or injury, or regulates any deformity or physical condition, of the human teeth, jaws, or associated structures, or conducts a physical evaluation, or administers anesthetic agents, or uses ionizing radiation in the course of dental practice, or who fi ts, constructs, and inserts any artifi cial appliance, plate, or denture for the human teeth or jaws, or who holds himself or herself out as being able or legally authorized to do so. The term “Practice of Dentistry” does not include:

Who shall assign to the board such clerks, stenographers, assistants, and investigators as may be

The Department of Public Instruction shall assign to the board such clerks, stenographers, assistants, and investigators as may be deemed necessary to carry out and enforce the provisions of this act.

Can dental records be subpoenaed?

The board shall have the authority to issue subpoenas, upon application of an attorney responsible for representing disciplinary matters before the board, for the purpose of investigating alleged violations of the disciplinary provisions administered by the board. Dental records may not be subpoenaed without consent of the patient or without order of

How many people have hoarding disorder?

According to The Cleveland Clinic, an estimated 2%-6% of the US population is affected with a hoarding disorder. Hoarders do more than collect clutter; they typically save items long past their normal usefulness.

How do you know if you are hoarding?

One of the telltale signs of a hoarding situation is when items block access to doorways, exits, showers, kitchen appliances, or even toilets. Rather than move or dispose of the items, the hoarder will adapt their behaviors around them.

Is a furnace unsanitary?

For instance, a residence with a malfunctioning furnace during the colder months could be deemed uninhabitable but not unsanitary; alternatively, a home with a poorly maintained roof or foundation that leaves openings for mildew, rodents, and insects to infest the home, could be both unsafe and uninhabitable.

What is Dental Malpractice?

Dental malpractice, like medical malpractice, occurs when a dental professional does not provide the expected level of care or does not take all reasonable efforts to provide care for a patient, resulting in significant harm and damages.

Types of Dental Mistakes

While not all mistakes made in dental care can be considered or proven malpractice, they are still potentially very damaging for patients. When people seek out dental care they expect to get a certain level of care and they trust the hygienist, dentist, and others to keep them safe.

When Mistakes are Malpractice

Proving that a dental mistake is negligent and constitutes malpractice is very similar to proving medical malpractice. It requires establishing that there was a professional relationship and therefore a duty to care on the part of the dental professional.

Consequences of Dental Malpractice

The repercussions of malpractice that occurs during dental care can be very serious for the patient. In many ways the potential consequences are similar or the same as those for medical malpractice.

Examples of Dental Malpractice Cases

Dental mistakes that have led to malpractices cases are numerous and include many different types of errors and degrees of harm and damages. In one case a dentist administered injectable anesthesia to a patient before performing a procedure to repair a chipped molar, but the needle tip broke off in the mouth.

How long do dental records need to be kept?

However, neither the State Board of Dentistry nor HIPAA guidelines specify how these records are to be disposed of after the five-year timeframe. The American Dental Association advises members to use reasonable measures for the disposal of dental records.

How long do dentists keep dental records?

How long are dentists required to keep patient dental records? According to Pennsylvania Regulations, Title 49 Pa Code § 33.209 (b), “…A patient’s dental record must be maintained by a dentist for a minimum of five years from the date of the last dental entry.”.

How long does it take for a dentist to provide a copy of a patient's dental records?

If a patient decides to seek care at a different dental practice, SBOD requires the dentist to provide an exact copy of the patient’s dental records to the patient or the patient’s new dentist within 30 days of receiving a written request.