By Stuart J. Oberman, Dental Tribune December 18, 2012
As cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) becomes more prevalent in the dental field, various legal issues are coming to light. When CBCT scans are justified, they can provide the dentist with an enhanced diagnostic tool that offers significant patient benefits when compared to older imaging technologies.
However, there are several key concerns that dentists should keep in mind when using CBCT technology.
Dentists’ standard of care
Medical professionals who are liable for non-diagnosis of any abnormality on the CBCT scan include the dentist who orders the CBCT scan and likely any other professional who uses the CBCT for diagnosis or treatment planning. Dentists must possess the requisite standard of care when diagnosing and treating patients. This standard is normally stated as the level of knowledge, skill and care of a reasonable dentist. To meet this standard when using CBCT, dentists should use CBCT’s full capabilities to obtain maximum diagnostic accuracy. The standard of care must be met whether or not the dentist received specialized training on CBCT imaging because dentists are required to stay current in the areas in which they actively practice by enrolling in continuing education courses. There is even argument that dentists who use CBCT should be held to the higher standard of a board-certified oral and maxillofacial radiologist.
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