Concerns with Your Dentist
The AADSM is a national membership organization comprised of dentists and dental team members who treat sleep-disordered breathing, which includes obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and snoring, with oral appliance therapy (OAT). We promote the advancement of the dentists’ role in the screening, evaluation and treatment of sleep-disordered breathing primarily through education and the development of practice standards and protocols.
We encourage members to follow the highest of ethical standards for their practice, with the safety and well-being of the patient as the paramount goal. However, membership is voluntary, and we have no policing or investigative authority over our members.
If you have a concern with a dentist who is an AADSM member, we suggest these steps:
- Reach out to a local dental association (county or city).
- Reach out to a state dental association.
- Reach out to the state dental board.
Regulations and guidelines for dentists are created on a local- and state-level, so the local and state dental associations have the best information for how patient concerns are managed within your community.
Some local and state dental societies have established a dispute resolution system called peer review to help resolve the occasional disagreement about dental treatment. Peer review provides an impartial and easily accessible means for resolving misunderstandings regarding the appropriateness or quality of care and, in certain instances, about the fees charged for dental treatment. A peer review committee will attempt to mediate the problem. They may meet to discuss the case and may examine clinical records, talk to the dentist and patient and, when indicated, arrange for a clinical examination.
State dental boards oversee individuals who provide dental services within a state. Each state dental board has a complaint process through which they accept complaints, investigate allegations, and take disciplinary actions for violations of the law.
By contacting your local- or state-level dental association, you’ll get the information that is most applicable to your situation and know how best to move forward to resolve your concerns.
