A former patient comes into the dental office and states that she has recently been diagnosed with skin cancer. She demands her x-rays and treatment record, and claims that she was exposed to unnecessary radiation during her visits. How should the dental assistant respond? Can the dental assistant be held responsible?
Hey, guest.
No, the dental assistant cannot be held responsible if a patient gets skin cancer due to radiation. The dental assistant is not responsible for the radiation safety protocols and should not be held liable for any injury or illness resulting from the radiation.
As for the response, the dental assistant should offer their condolences to the patient, and encourage them to speak to their doctor about their options for treatment. They should also refer the patient to appropriate resources for further support.
Can you tell us what happened later?