CE0922: Legal and Ethical Issues in Washington State Dentistry

John C. Versnel, III, JD and Philip Weinstein, PhD

Course Description:

The practice of dentistry is both self-regulating and influenced by the society it is designed to serve. While the dental profession regulates itself by establishing a Code of Ethics, society manifests its influence through ever-changing federal, state and local regulations and in the health services marketplace.

This course is designed to a) update dental professionals on regulations that affect dental practice and offer management strategies to avoid legal problems, and b) provide an understanding of the ethical issues facing contemporary dental practice.

Course Objectives - As a result of attending this course, the participant should be able to:

• Better identify and avoid legal pitfalls common to a small employer or office including hiring, discrimination, prevention and unemployment issues
• Discuss the disciplinary process in Washington State
• Develop an understanding of the new statutes and rules governing dentistry
• Recognize the role of the Dental Quality Assurance Commission (DQAC)
  • Identify the basic ethical principles that underlie the Code of Ethics
  • Discuss ethical legal cases and identify the relevant principles, codes and laws
  • Identify strategies to avoid/minimize complaints to DQAC

JOHN C. VERSNEL, III was admitted to the Washington State Bar Association in 1988. He is also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for Eastern and Western Districts of Washington as well as the U.S. Supreme Court. Mr. Versnel graduated from the University of Washington in 1983 with a BA and received his Juris Doctorate from Seattle University in 1987. He is the co-author of "Corporate Responsibility for Free Enterprise," University of Toledo Law Review (1986). Mr. Versnel practices in the areas of professional liability, defense of doctors and dentists in civil suits, long-term care, professional licensing and employment law. He is a frequent speaker at risk management seminars and continuing education courses.

PHILIP WEINSTEIN is a Professor in Dental Public Health Sciences, Pediatric Dentistry, and Psychology. He has been at the University of Washington since 1971. He has been the course director of the dental school’s ethics class for the past 15 years and provides remediation for dentists ordered by the Dental Quality Assurance Commission. He has been a funded NIH investigator his entire career and provides treatment to patients at the Dental Fears Research Clinic, which he co-founded. His recent research has shown the effectiveness of the MI approach in motivating mothers of children at high risk for caries. He has written over 175 papers and four books, the most recent being Motivate your Dental Patients: A Workbook. He has received a community service award from UW and an educational award from the Japanese government.

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University of Washington is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider.	The University of Washington is an ACDE member.
ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.
University of Washington designates this activity for 7 continuing education credits.