Patient Relations Program

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.