27 APR 2024 · In this episode of RiskBites Senior dentolegal consultant Dr Annalene Weston and Dental Protections inhouse lawyer Helen Harbourne discuss a particular type of allegation being increasingly argued in compensations claims, this being assault battery, and trespass.  Listen in as Annalene and Helen discuss what these terms mean in the eyes of the law and how you can avoid being subject to such accusations.  

13 APR 2024 · Join Dr Annalene Weston, Senior Dentolegal Consultant at Dental Protection and Associate Professor Dr Matthew Hopcraft in this personal and informative episode of Risk Matters, titled “The road less travelled”.  Listen in as Annalene and Matt revisit his early introduction into dentistry, talk through his illustrious career and explore different ways in which we can use our dental degree, based on their own journeys through the profession.

23 MAR 2024 · Join Dentolegal consultant Dr Simon Parsons and Senior Dentolegal consultant Dr Annalene Weston at Dental Protection, as they consider that in point in time where a patient moves from being a disgruntled patient to a complainant. In this episode Simon recalls a case where a dental practitioner placed six veneers and despite feeling like he had done everything right and the case was a success, his patient was unforgiving when unexpected issues arose. 

9 MAR 2024 · Join Dr Annalene Weston, Senior Dentolegal consultant at Dental Protection and Case Manger Kristin Trafford Wiezel as they consider that point in time when a patient moves from being a disgruntled patient to a complainant. In this episode Kristin and Annalene discuss a case that highlights the difficulties encountered by practitioners when dealing with complaints, acknowledging that at times these complaints can feel more like a personal attack. In these situations, Annalene and Kristin remind us that during these times our initial ‘emotional response’ is often not the best response.

24 FEB 2024 · Join Case Manager Anita Kemp and Dr Annalene Weston, Senior Dentolegal Consultant at Dental Protection as they discuss some of the reasons that can sit behind a complaint. You may be surprised to hear that it is not always related to treatment. Listen in as Anita and Annalene talk through a case, where the issues that led to a complaint were instigated before the practitioner even met the patients.

11 FEB 2024 · Join Case Manager Kristin Trafford Wiezel and Dr Annalene Weston, Senior Dentolegal Consultant at Dental Protection, as they consider an allegation of treatment without consent through the lens of two cases from the Dental Protection Vault. Listen in as Kristin and Annalene identify and explore the tipping point in both cases – a moment in time when a patient moves from being a disgruntled patient to a complainant.

28 JAN 2024 · Join Dr Annalene Weston, Senior Dentolegal Consultant at Dental Protection, and Oral Medicine Specialist and Expert Dr Amanda Poon Nguyen for an in-depth Q&A discussion about ‘The changing face of oral cancer’. Listen in as Annalene and Amanda discuss the aetiology of oral cancer, patient demographics and risk factors and red flags. Additionally highlighting the necessity for routine oral cancer screening and the integral role Dental practitioners play in oral cancer screening, identification, referral, and diagnosis. https://www.oralmedicineoralpathology.com https://www.headandneckcancer.org.au/i-am-a-health-professional/the-changing-face-of-head-and-neck-cancer-gp-and-dentist-education-module/

19 NOV 2023 · Not only is patient autonomy one of the four underpinning principles of medical ethics, but it is also a vital component of the consent process and patient care. Gone are the days of paternalism but can patient autonomy go too far.In this episode of RiskBites, Dr Kiran Keshwara and Dr Annalene Weston speak about our patient’s ability to choose or refuse treatment, based on the treatment options presented and the risks and limitations provided. They go on to discuss the impact that this can have on practitioners, utilising a case study from the Dental Protection Vault to highlight the importance of undertaking and documenting the consent process.

5 NOV 2023 · Where does imaging sit in managing our risk? In our next episode of RiskBites, Dr Annalene Weston and Dr Kiran Keshwara from Dental Protection discuss the place of imaging in dentistry. Images, whether they are x-rays, photos or digital scans, make an important part of the patient records and should be considered to be a useful adjunct to our written records. Listen to find out more about this key topic in dentistry.

22 OCT 2023 · In the next episode of RiskBites; ’The view from the other side’ Dr Colm Harney shares insight into why some patients complain and claim, when something unexpected happens and why some patients do not. Dr Annalene Weston and Dr Harney discuss the importance of being able to recognise and acknowledge our patient’s viewpoint. Highlighting the key role that patient experience, perception, rapport, and trust play in these situations, irrespective of the quality of treatment provided.