Complaints against Dentists Working in Mashhad, Iran; 2012-2017

Abstract

Background: The analysis of complaints against health professionals assists in improving health care services. The objective of this study was to evaluate complaints against dentists working in Mashhad, Iran during 2012-2017. Methods: In this study, all the available completed dental complaint cases from the archive of the Mashhad Medical Council addressed within a six-year time period (from 2012 through 2017) were reviewed. The required information was extracted based on a checklist including variables such as the gender of dentists and complainants, the age of dentists and complainants, dentists’ degree, the place of service provision, the type of services provided, the causes of complaints, and the sentences issued to dentists (conviction or non-conviction). Results: A total of 208 cases were evaluated, and in 67 (32.2%) cases, dentists had been found guilty. Most cases involving convicted dentists were associated with male dentists, female complainants, general dentists, and in-office services. In the cases of convicted dentists, the most common service provided was endodontic treatment and the most common cause of complaint was failed or incomplete treatment. Conclusion: To reduce the growing number of complaints against dentists, their skills should be improved, especially in endodontic treatment services. It is advisable for general dentists to consider referring patients to specialists either for more skilled treatments or to allow their patients’ expectations to be better met.