Patient Relations Program
PDA forms patient relations committees to review and resolve problems or
misunderstandings between dentists and their patients regarding dental
treatment. Patient relations committees benefit patients and dentists by
providing impartial, easily accessible and generally expedient means for
conflict resolution. PDA does not handle fee disputes.
PDA and its member dentists seek to resolve all controversies with
fairness to both the patient and the dentist in a non-adversarial
setting. The program is offered at usually no cost to either the patient
or the member dentist. Patient relations committees consist of
volunteer dentists who consider questions about the appropriateness or
quality of care and about the fees charged under a given set of
circumstances. A dispute may be resolved through mediation alone or
through the review of patient records and clinical
examination. Both the patient and dentist must agree to cooperate
with the program. Please be advised the program will decline cases where
fees are being disputed; private legal representation has been retained;
or the patient has filed a complaint with any other entity such
as the licensing board, bureau of consumer protection, better
business bureau or insurance company. Should the dentist choose not to
cooperate, the patient retains the right to pursue the
complaint via his or her avenue of choice. Download
PDA’s Mediation
Form and Confidentiality
Agreement and return the completed forms to initiate mediation.
You may request a Mediation Form and Confidentiality Agreement be mailed
to you. The forms must be fully completed. No anonymous
complaints will be accepted. PDA will forward your completed
mediation form, confidentiality agreement and other relevant information
about your case to the Patient Relations Committee of the local dental
society for review, if a committee exists. The response time to a
complaint will vary based on the availability of the
committee. For more information, call PDA at (717) 234-5941.
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