An analysis of complaints against Victorian dental care providers 2000-2004

Background: There are little data available on the number and type of complaints made against dental care providers in Australia, despite anecdotal reports of an increasing trend in health-related complaints and litigation. Methods: Data were obtained from the Dental Practice Board of Victoria on complaints received between July 2000 and December 2004. Results: There were 651 complaints against all dental care providers in the study period, which equates to a rate of 4.1 complaints per 100 dental care providers per year. Dentists were responsible for 490 of the complaints, with 66 complaints against dental prosthetists and 43 complaints against dental specialists. There were very few complaints against dental therapists and students, and no complaints against dental hygienists, with 47 complaints against unregistered people or institutions. Conclusions: This study found that there was a relatively low rate of complaints made against dental care providers in Victoria, with most occurring against dentists in private practice in Melbourne. Less that 10 per cent of complaints resulted in an adverse finding against the dental care provider.