Dentists, malpractice and not knowing enough: legal liability for failing to keep up with the profession.

Abstract

The law imposes an obligation on you to keep current with the developments of your profession, particularly those developments which directly affect the health of your patients. From a legal perspective, you risk liability when your professional inquisitiveness and awareness falls below that of the reasonable specialist. While there is a substantial risk of being overwhelmed by the explosion of new dental knowledge, the alternative of being sued for malpractice is less attractive.