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07/01/26

Severity and financial outcomes associated with dental diagnostic errors in paid malpractice claims in the United States from 2004 through 2021.

Singhania, Richa; Obadan-Udoh, Enihomo. J Am Dental Assoc.

Collection Topics
Business Case for Excellence Epidemiology Culture, Work System, and Implementation
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Summary

Diagnostic error is a patient-safety issue across healthcare disciplines, including dentistry. The authors examined dental malpractice claims reported to the National Practitioner Data Bank from 2004–2021, comparing diagnostic and nondiagnostic allegations and associated harm severity and payments. The study highlights the clinical and financial consequences of dental diagnostic errors and broadens diagnostic-safety surveillance beyond medicine, while recognizing that malpractice claims represent only a subset of diagnostic harm.

Read the paper
Singhania R, Obadan-Udoh E. Severity and financial outcomes associated with dental diagnostic errors in paid malpractice claims in the United States from 2004 through 2021. J Am Dent Assoc. Epub 2026 Jul 1.