Legal considerations for treatment following trauma to teeth

When treating an orally traumatized patient, the dentist has no fewer professional and legal responsibilities than when treating a nonemergency patient. After obtaining proper consent, the examination, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of the patient must not be made negligently. Minimally, the dentist must not practice below the standard of care of a similar practitioner acting in the same or similar circumstances. The dentist also may be called on to further assist that patient in his or her attempt to obtain compensation for loss brought about by the trauma.