Message Boards
Today's Active Topics Today's Active Cases Browse Forum Categories My Recent Activity My Messages Private Groups My Marked Threads My Subscriptions
Today's Active Images Today's Active Polls Most Active Topics Global Townie Map Advanced Message Board Search Message Board Terms of Use

Dental Law - What You Need To Know
Dental Law - What You Need To Know
A summary of what every dental practice owner should know and implement in the day to day operations of their practice.
Blog By:
dentalattorney
dentalattorney

Terminating the Dentist/ Patient Relationship

Terminating the Dentist/ Patient Relationship

8/8/2019 8:37:00 AM   |   Comments: 0   |   Views: 193
                                        
Many dentists struggle to terminate the dentist/ patient relationship. Relationship termination can be crucial to practice risk management, but improper relationship termination can lead to legal trouble. The list below contains legal justifications for terminating the dentist/ patient relationship:
                                        
            
                    
  • The patient is cured, or treatment is completed.
    •                 
  • The patient decides to terminate the relationship (usually occurs over fiscal, administrative, management, or personality issues).
    •                 
  • The dentist decides to terminate the relationship.
    •                 
  • Both parties agree to terminate the relationship (the patient has a new dental benefits plan, the patient moves out of the area).
    •             
            
                                        
To terminate the patient from a practice without risking patient abandonment, the dentist should:
                                        
            
                    
  1. Give the patient sufficient notice of the dentist's intent to withdraw in writing. The letter should be delivered through Certified Mail with a return receipt requested to document that the patient was notified or a valid attempt was made.
    2.                 
  2. Write a letter that include reasons for professional relationship termination:                 
                          
    • Patient not cooperating in care or following directions
      •                     
    • All the times appointments were canceled or missed
      •                     
    • Patient failure to meet compensation obligations for professional services
      •                     
    • All cases of abusive or disruptive treatment of staff or others in the office
      •                     
    • Instances in which the patient was less than forthcoming about current medical status, medical history, or administrative inquiries
      •                 
                    
    3.                 
  3. Strongly urge the patient to seek continued care if necessary. The letter should give a specific and adequate time frame for the patient to seek a new dentist as well as state availability for emergency care, consultations, and referrals, if necessary.
    4.                 
  4. Inform the patient that a copy of his or her records may be forwarded to the new treating practitioner. 
    5.             
            
                                        
Dentists may be considered for abandonment of the patient charges if any of the  following occur:
                                        
            
                    
  • Termination of care without the patient's knowledge
    •                 
  • Premature patient discharge
    •                 
  • Failure to provide proper instructions before discharging a patient
    •                 
  • Refusal to accept calls or further attend to the patient
    •                 
  • Failure to follow up on postsurgical care
    •                 
  • Harm to the patient, as a result of the termination, that should have been foreseen by the dentist (proximate cause) 
    •             
            


OBERMAN LAW FIRM 

Stuart J. Oberman, Esq handles a wide range of legal issues for the dental profession including cyber security breaches, employment law, practice sales, OSHA, and HIPAA compliance, real estate transactions, lease agreements, noncompete agreements, dental board complaints, and professional corporations.
 
For questions or comments 
regarding this article 
please call (770) 554-1400
or visit www.obermanlaw.com
 
 Email Emily Scarborough at emily@obermanlaw.com to hear Stuart J. Oberman, Esq speak at your next event.

You must be logged in to view comments.
Total Blog Activity
997
Total Bloggers
13,451
Total Blog Posts
4,671
Total Podcasts
1,788
Total Videos
Dentaltown Magazine
October 2025
Dentaltown Magazine October 2025 Read Current Issue Read Archived Issues
Sponsors
Townie Perks
Townie® Poll
Who or what do you turn to for most financial advice regarding your practice?
  
Site Menu
Message Boards Magazine Continuing Education Podcasts Blogs Classifieds Dental News Events Townie® Poll Ebooks Townie Choice Awards
Company Info
Contact Us Advertise With Us Howard Farran DDS, MBA Policies and Agreements
Site Help
The Dentaltown Team, Farran Media Support
Phone: +1-480-445-9710
Email: support@farranmedia.com
©2025 Dentaltown, a division of Farran Media • All Rights Reserved
9633 S. 48th Street Suite 200 • Phoenix, AZ 85044 • Phone:+1-480-598-0001 • Fax:+1-480-598-3450