Should you implement a chaperone policy in your office? Here are some considerations.
Posted in Insurance Services on Monday, February 17, 2025
Patient chaperones are common in physician offices as an important risk management measure. Dentists should take note, and consider adopting the same protocol for certain situations.
The risk of harassment, sexual misconduct and other boundary allegations may seem lower in a dental office than in a physician’s office. This may be due to the following reasons:
- Dental assistants or hygienists are typically involved in care during office hours, in effect providing chaperones for a practice.
- Open operatories make it difficult to allege activities went on unbeknownst to others.
Regardless, dentists are still at risk of false allegations of sexual misconduct, especially in situations such as during sedation or after-hours emergency calls.
Devastating Consequences
These cases can be absolutely devastating. If the dentist is found to be at fault, he or she can be subject to civil and criminal actions and penalties, as well as license suspension or permanent revocation. Moreover, reports of alleged sexual misconduct by dentists against their patients may garner much attention in the media. Thus, even if ultimately found to be innocent of the charges, the dentist may suffer irreparable damage to his or her professional reputation and career.
That’s why it is important that dentists protect themselves and their practices from false allegations.
Important Steps
Effective dentist/patient communication is a good first step. If a patient has been told what the dentist will be doing during the procedure and why, there will be less chance for misunderstanding and apprehension by the patient.
Another suggestion is to develop a policy that:
- Demonstrates respect for the patient’s dignity, comfort and privacy regardless of age or gender.
- Shows the dentist’s professionalism and reinforces the formal nature of the examination being performed.
Finally, it may be advisable for dental offices to have a chaperone present during certain situations. Ideally, the chaperone will be a qualified healthcare assistant. Due to privacy issues, any chaperone will be held to the same standards of protecting the patient’s privacy and confidentiality as the dentist. (Friends and family are likely poor choices for most situations.)
Red-flag Patients
While the great majority of patients want quality dental care, a few may have a hidden agenda. Be aware of patients who show the following red flags of a potential predatory patient:
- Attempts to schedule appointments for the last spot of the day or see you only after hours.
- Dresses provocatively or asks personal questions such as: “Is the dentist happily married?”
- Disregards staff instructions or behaves rudely toward staff.
- Shares concerns about finances after treatment, such as: “I really can’t afford these treatments.”
For these patients, a chaperone would be prudent, to avoid seeing them alone in the office. If the patient objects to someone from the practice being in the room, it should raise concern and perhaps a referral to another dentist.
As always, document the situation, as well as the names of the people in the room. Dentists should consult their legal counsel for specific guidance.
Additional Reading