Dental diagnostic errors and characteristics associated with claims in the United States, 1990-2020

Little is known about the magnitude of diagnostic errors in dentistry. The authors aimed to examine the prevalence of and demographic characteristics associated with dental diagnostic errors.

A cross-sectional analysis of dental paid malpractice claims from the National Practitioner Data Bank spanning from 1990 through 2020 identified the characteristics of the claims. The authors categorized the claims into diagnostic and others. Descriptive statistics, χ² tests, and regression analyses were used to assess the provider and patient characteristics associated with the claims.

Of 58,229 dental paid claims, 8.7% were diagnostic claims, of which missed diagnoses (78.6%) were the most common. More diagnostic claims involved female patients (59.7%) and patients aged 50 through 59 years (22.2%) and providers aged 40 through 49 years (29.4%) who graduated from 1970 through 1979 (27.4%) and were from the Northeast region of the United States (32.2%) (P < .05).

Dental diagnostic errors, a major preventable cause of malpractice claims, have remained steady since 2008, and nondiagnostic claims decreased over time. Significant differences in patient and provider demographic characteristics were linked to these claims. Further analysis of dental diagnostic errors could guide tools to reduce these errors and enhance patient safety.

The results of the study provide key insights for policy makers to understand the need for targeted strategies improving diagnostic accuracy, patient safety, and clinical outcomes, and guide provider training and continuing education.