COVID-19 Information and FAQs

After nearly a year of compliance with complicated, and sometimes uncomfortable, COVID-19 protocols, many dental professionals are exhausted. However, fatigue with wearing mandatory personal protective equipment doesn’t change the regulations or the potential for serious risks.

From unvaccinated patients to incomplete health histories, failure to cooperate results in ethical and legal challenges for dentists. In today’s practice environment, these challenges also include navigating interactions with patients who simply refuse to wear face masks.

During this challenging year, stress levels have often been high and patience very low. Regardless of these external stressors or how different individuals manage their frustrations, dental professionals deserve a working environment that is free from hostile interactions. 

Employees in California may be entitled to workers’ compensation if they test positive for COVID-19 or if their place of employment experiences an “outbreak” of COVID-19 as defined by legislation signed into law Sept. 17 by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Being the victim of theft is bad enough, but when that theft is perpetrated by a trusted member of your dental team, it’s especially harrowing. Unfortunately, theft within dental practices is surprisingly common and it’s on the rise. One of the most common types of theft in the dental office is staff embezzlement.

When malpractice rates began to dramatically rise in the mid-70s, a small group of California Dental Association members took action to build a company that would be solely focused on protecting dentists.

The Dentists Insurance Company will begin issuing premium refunds this week to policyholders affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The coronavirus pandemic has impacted individuals and businesses globally and has affected each market individually. Workers’ compensation is no exception, and Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed executive orders that may affect the dental practice. Additionally, the California Legislature has introduced several bills that could redefine how employees access workers’ compensation benefits for COVID-19.

The Dentists Insurance Company on April 24 announced premium refunds to policyholders in 15 states affected by the COVID-19 pandemic that has severely impacted the practice of dentistry. Recognizing that dentists are experiencing a reduction of routine and elective patient care in their practices, TDIC is refunding 50% of Professional Liability premiums for two months.

Countless protections are in place to safeguard our private financial data. In the dental office, data encryption, anti-virus software and firewalls are the go-to preventative measures, not to mention the classic lock-and-key methods for securing hardware and other items of value. Unfortunately, smart thieves can, and have, found ways to outwit many of the most advanced security systems.