Liability Insurance and the Dental Hygienist

Most dental hygienists are employed on a part time basis and usually at private practices. Therefore, it is not uncommon for people in this profession to have more than one place of employment.

The dental hygienist provides professional services to hospitals, schools, nursing homes, correctional institutions and public health clinics. The dental hygienist has many functions. Most often the hygienist works under the supervision of a dentist although it is not unusual for the hygienist to work alone.

A dental hygienist can administer local anesthetic to patients, and can perform root canals. The dental hygienist educates, instructs and informs about preventive dental care. There are many factors that contribute to the diseases of the mouth; one of these factors is food. The dental hygienist provides counsel in nutrition that reduces the risk of decay to the teeth and gums.

In the working environment of a dental hygienist there is little or no room for errors. Dental hygienists are highly valued and are expected to perform professional service to the best of their ability Dental hygienists are usually provided Insurance coverage by the employer. However it is highly recommended and advisable   that dental hygienists acquire their own additional Professional Liability Insurance. Dental hygienists are responsible for their actions in the work place. Insurance coverage for the dental hygienist from the employer is limited and  may contain clauses that omits  the employer from responsibility.

For example if the employer and the dental hygienist   have claims against them and the employer is dropped from the suit, the insurance policy will not cover the dental hygienist. Another factor dental hygienist should consider is the legal one. Most of the Professional Liability Insurance policies are inclusive of covering partial cost for legal representation and court fees.  There are numerous reasons why a dental hygienist should have Professional Liability Insurance.

The most important is protection, another one is the risk of having oneself covered in one place of employment and not covered in another one. Leaving the responsibility of coverage to the dentists under whom the Dental Hygienist practices mean that the Dental Hygienist has to check each and every policy in every place he or she are employed.

The profession of the dental hygienist is rapidly growing and becoming more demanding than before. It is imperative that the dental hygienist equip themselves with Professional Liability Insurance. The Insurance industry is aware of the popularity and growth of this profession and tends to provide the dental hygienists with reasonable coverage at affordable costs.

(Leslie Harracksingh is the Medical Occupations Customer Service Officer at Sinclair Insurance Company)

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