Citation Information :
Maiti R, Umashankar G. Legal Implications of Dental Practice in India: A Critical Review of Court Cases in India. J Oral Health Comm Dent 2021; 15 (3):152-155.
The dental profession is a deeply revered relationship with the patients. But it is ironic that in recent times, the attacks on doctors have become common. Such incidents are increasing at an alarming rate and are reflective of an ailing Indian healthcare system. The reasons cited for such acts are patient dissatisfaction after treatment, false complaints and acquisitions, and highlights by the media. This has made the healthcare system more sensitive and vulnerable. Though such incidents can be resolved between patients and dentists, sometimes patients seek help from the court. A legal case against the dentist causes social, psychological, and financial instabilities. Therefore, every health professional in order to avoid such litigations should have an idea about the rules and regulations guiding their profession, the law and ethics pertaining to their practice, and standard protocols to follow in everyday routine. The data gathered for this review article were from Internet search of court cases recorded. The following article is an attempt to review the court cases and throw light to the rightful steps to minimize the risk.
Tyagi P, Dodwad V, Kumar P, et al. Significance of ethics in dental education and professionalism: an insight on present scenario. Univres J Dent 2014;4:78–80. DOI: 10.4103/2249-97 25.132967.
Paul G. Medical law for the dental surgeon. 5th ed. New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers Ltd; 2004.
Dey S. Over 75% of doctors have faced violence at work, study finds. Times of India May 4, 2015.
Sabarinath B, Sivapathasundharam B. Ethics in dentistry. J Educ Ethics Dent 2011;1(1):24–27. DOI: 10.4103/0974-7761.93409.
Dhawan R, Dhawan S. Legal aspects in dentistry. J Indian Soc Periodontol 2010;14(1):81–84. Available from: https://www.jisponline.com/text.asp?2010/14/1/81/65437.
Vora P. India's hospital assaults: patients blame doctors while doctors blame the broken health system. Scroll.in (Mumbai) March 21, 2017. Available from: https://scroll.in/pulse/832349/hospitalviolence-patients-blame-doctors-while doctors blame-the-broken-health-system [Accessed March 23, 2017].
Joshi SK. Law and the practice of medicine. 1st ed. New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers; 2010. p. 325, 330–332.
Morse D. Dental malpractice, Part 2: malpractice prevention. Dentistry Today 2012. Available from: http://www.dentistrytoday.com/practice-managementarticles/riskmanagement/1898-dealing-with-dental-malpractice-part2-malpractice-prevention.
Dahat PR, Yadav P. Medical negligence and criminal law: an Indian perspective. Available from: http://lex-arrierlegalsolutions.blogspot.in/2010/10/medicalnegligence-and criminal-law.html archive.
Chandigarh dentist in soup in ‘jaw-dropping’ case by US resident. Punjab, Chandigarh: Hindustan Times. Updated on April 04, 2018. 02:57 PM IST.
Consumer forum tells dentist to pay Rs. 2 lakh for faulty treatment. Mumbai News–Times of India. October 12, 2015, 01:00 IST.
Teenager dies after being treated by dentist for ear pain in Karnataka – by Express News Service. May 11, 2017. 03:50 PM.
Dentist fined Rs. 2 lakh for negligence, threatening patient. New Delhi: The Hindu; November 22, 2016. 00:20 IST.
Failure in tooth implant: dentist asked to pay fine to patient. Chandigarh News–Times of India. January 22, 2015. 16:45.
Dentist accused of botching up an implant, produces video of complainant feasting at Gurudwara langar. Mumbai Mirror. January 31, 2018. 07.15 AM IST.
Karnataka man dies after dentist pulls out 3 of his teeth, doctor denies negligence. India Today December 19, 2017. 17:13 IST.
