Expert witness or "hired gun?"

The good intentions of dentists are not a protection against malpractice suits. The role of the expert witness in malpractice cases is to explain to judges and juries what the standard of care is and whether it has been followed. The historical practice of looking to local standards has given way to a national standard and the requirement that an expert be qualified and will assist the judge and jury in determining relevant facts. The motives of expert witnesses for both the plaintiff and the defense are open to scrutiny. Tort reform has begun to codify some of the properties of expert witness activities. Parameters of care may become interpreted as legally defining the standard of care. Expert witnesses testifying in criminal cases as forensic dentists must meet the standards of providing scientifically verifiable evidence passing the test of peer review.