As people are more concerned about their and medical care. there have been and increasing number of medical disputes due to increased medical demand. In order to prevent and provide solution to currently surging medical accidents and disputes related to orthodontic treatment, in July 1998, the Korean Association Of Orthodontists surveyed
2.200 members of Korean Association of orthodontists on 30 items to recognize the pattern of medical accidents and prevent them. The survey was about accident-related items including personal profiles of members and patients who have undergone medical accidents or disputes, the cause and solution to the accidents, cautions related to members orthodontic treatment, and medical recording and archival. Based on the survey result we analyzed characteristics of medical accidents and disputes in orthodontic area. It is more important to predict and prevent possible medical accidents or disputes based on current situation than to solve them after disputes occur. For this, we should not be negligent in raising treatment proficiency level based on patient-doctor trust and in obtaining new medical information. We should also provide medical environment where patients themselves can decide whether to get treatment after they are offered detailed explanation on diagnosis, treatment procedure, complication, and possible hazard. We should take caution when treating patients and pay attention to charting and maintenance, which is the most fundamental, as well. Also at the Korean Association and disputes, and actions and organizations that can help when accidents and disputes
occur.
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