The idea that many people put off going to the dentist is largely a myth. Every year, a little over half of the people in Chicagoland see a dentist. The vast majority of people walk away satisfied, whether they have cosmetic or other work performed. Of course, there are always exceptions. Given the volume of patients that most Illinois dentists see, some complaints are inevitable.
Most disgruntled patients do not immediately think about filing a complaint with the IDFPR. Instead, they might leave bad reviews on social media or demand partial refunds. Typically, once the patient vents or gets some money back, the complaint goes away. But if it reaches the next level, it is time to enlist the help of an experienced attorney.
Because of Tom Glasgow’s highly specialized experience in this area, he has a good track record of defending health care professionals and private individuals against the unlimited resources of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
Some Common Dental Complaints in Illinois
Almost anything can trigger an angry refund request. It could even be something like the choice of carpet color or the genre of background music. Sometimes you should take these complaints seriously and sometimes you should ignore them. It is best to use your own judgment. If the complaints touch on areas of professional competence or patient safety, however, you should always pay attention to them.
Some of the most common dental board complaints in Chicago are:
Sometimes, there is an issue with another complaint from another state. An attorney must closely scrutinize such matters. There is often a difference between substandard care in State X and substandard care in Illinois.
How to Respond to a Complaint in Chicago
Always address the issue, no matter how valid or invalid it seems. Ignoring a complaint is an independent basis for action against your license. Do not go too far. If you retaliate against the patient who filed the complaint or refuse to provide more services to that patient while you are in the course of treatment, those actions are also disciplinary violations.
While it does serve both purposes, the IDFPR is more of a consumer protection organization than a licensing agency. As a result, the agency usually errs on the side of aggressive action. An attorney can use that tendency in your favor. For example, instead of a license revocation, a lawyer may often convince the IDFPR to put the dentist on a lengthy period of probation. The punishment looks worse from a consumer protection perspective. And, assuming the complaint is a rather isolated event, probation should be fairly easy to complete.
Contact Tenacious Attorneys
Do not take any threats to your ability to practice dentistry. For a confidential consultation with an experienced criminal defense lawyer in Schaumburg, contact Glasgow & Olsson.
(image courtesy of Daniel Frank)